WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass. -- Westover personnel plan to use prescribed fires to burn about 200 acres of grassland located within the base property beginning Oct. 9, 2020.
These prescribed burns are scheduled, depending on wind, rain and temperature conditions. Airfield areas to be burned include those in the general vicinities of Westover Airpark North, Westover Golf Course, the Hampden County Correctional Center, Westover Metropolitan Airport, and the interior of the base.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Forest Service wildland firefighters and Westover ARB Fire Department will be carrying out and managing safe burning practices.
The prescribed fire plan is to avoid affecting the local community with smoke and contain the fire on the base. Burning will take place with eye-level wind gusts of 20 mph or less. The burning should not pose a safety risk.
Higher level winds will disperse and transport the smoke away from the immediate area. Westover firefighters will wet border vegetation and use other firebreaks to manage the fires. Local fire departments will be advised of the operation.
Prescribed fire is a recognized natural resources management tool used to maintain healthy grasslands, prevent wildfires, and will remove broadleaf weeds and other invasive vegetation.