06/04/2026
Wondering what the smoke around the south part of the county is all about? Please see below โฌ๏ธโฌ๏ธโฌ๏ธ
Seeing smoke in the south end of the county today? ๐
If you notice smoke in the area today, particularly toward the Moreau region, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is conducting a prescribed burn at Big Bend Preserve on Today from 1030 AM until 3 PM. (Thursday, June 4, 2026)
Prescribed burns are planned and carefully managed by trained professionals to help improve ecosystem health, reduce hazardous vegetation, and lower the risk of future wildfires.
How a prescribed burn helps?
๐ฒ Reduce Wildfire Risk: They consume hazardous "fuels" like dead leaves, brush, and fallen branches so that future accidental wildfires have less material to burn.
๐ฑ Improve Ecosystem Health: Fire returns essential nutrients to the soil, removes invasive weeds, and gives native plants room to thrive.
๐ฆซ Manage Wildlife Habitats: They clear overgrown brush to create better feeding and nesting grounds for native wildlife.
Prescribed burns are only conducted under specific weather conditions with detailed planning, safety measures, and personnel in place.
Residents may see or smell smoke throughout the day, particularly depending on wind direction and atmospheric conditions.
A few things to keep in mind:
๐ Smoke may be visible from neighboring communities and roadways even though the burn is not in our county.
๐ Use caution while driving if you encounter areas of reduced visibility.
๐ฌ๏ธ Individuals sensitive to smoke may wish to limit outdoor activities if smoke becomes noticeable in their area.
As always, if you observe smoke or fire in an unexpected location or believe there is an emergency, call 9-1-1.
Prescribed fire is one of the many tools used to keep our forests healthy, resilient, and safer for future generations.
For additional information, please contact Moreau Lake State Park directly or sign up to receive official updates. You can get notifications when the preserve reopens, as well as future park alerts, through the free Parks Explorer App. Simply download the app and tap the heart icon to "favorite" Moreau Lake State Park.
App Link: https://parks.ny.gov/explorer-app?fbclid=IwY2xjawSOkWlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEed35A3dfM6ZyBKLvptxAgiUS0gEyFk1mcC05xyVC7O4TwpNiIbPeX4cc8VkQ_aem_WhF3cmYbbCnSZsZa21Xu6g