The smell of forest smoke will soon be in the air as controlled burns get underway in the Conecuh National Forest.

The forest encompasses some 20,000 acres in Escambia and Covington counties.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service federal fire specialists will intentionally conduct controlled burns on approximately 91,500 acres of the Bankhead, Conecuh, Talladega and Tuskegee National Forests during the next six months. The land management plan requires the Forest Service to use prescribed fire as a management tool to improve forest health. The controlled burn or “good fire” is carefully planned to provide many benefits for wildlife and reduces the accumulation of forest undergrowth that can become a wildfire threat if untreated.

Controlled burns take place annually only if weather conditions are favorable. During this time, the public may see smoke, additional Forest Service personnel and equipment near project areas.  The Forest Service is asking the public to use their low beam lights and watch out for uniformed Forest Service personnel. At times, visibility may be reduced because of smoke settling at night in low-lying areas.

To view a map of the controlled burn areas, visit www.fs.usda.gov/alabama under the “Know Before You Go” section.

Those with questions on the Conecuh Forest burn should call 334.222.2555.