Fighting Fire with Fire: DEM Resuming Prescribed Burns

Fighting Fire with Fire: DEM Resuming Prescribed Burns

Published on Monday, April 06, 2026

PROVIDENCE, RI - The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) Forest Fire Programplans to conduct low-severity prescribed burns on state lands in Exeter, West Greenwich, Coventry, Richmond, Glocester, Jamestown, and South Kingstown. Weather permitting, the first prescribed burns of 2026 will begin this week. Prescribed (planned) burns depend on weather and wind conditions and are typically announced a day in advance. Prescribed burns help maintain healthy habitats and reduce hazardous fuels, protecting communities from extreme wildfires.

DEM will provide additional public notice through social media, website updates, and flyers to nearby landowners once a burn window has been identified. A burn window occurs when fuel, moisture, and weather conditions align to safely meet management goals, including fuel reduction, habitat improvement, and ecological restoration.

DEM burn managers are targeting parcels at Durfee Hill Management Area in Glocester, Arcadia Management Area in Exeter, Nicholas Farm Management Area in Coventry, Big River Management Area in West Greenwich, Dutch Island in Jamestown, Carolina Management Area in Richmond, and Great Swamp Management Area in South Kingstown.

Climate change is increasing wildfire risk by creating warmer, drier conditions, and longer fire seasons. In 2025, Rhode Island experienced 62 wildfires, and DEM's Forest Fire Program conducted 12 prescribed burns treating more than 100 acres of state land. DEM continues shaded fuelbreak brush-clearing projectsto reduce the risk of uncontrolled wildfires. By expanding its use of prescribed fire, DEM's land management policies and practices are better aligned with neighboring states and strengthens regional ecological restoration and climate resilience.

Prescribed burns are led by experts from DEM's Forest Fire Programand they will employ detailed operational and safety plans. Fire behavior, fuels, and weather are monitored throughout the burn, and if the prescription parameters are exceeded, the fire is shut down.

For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow DEM on Facebook, Twitter/X (@RhodeIslandDEM), or Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem) for timely updates. Sign up hereto receive the latest press releases, news, and events from DEM's Public Affairs Office to your inbox.