PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Forest Fire Program plans to conduct low-severity prescribed burns in the coming days on state lands, including Glocester’s Durfee Hill Management Area.
Weather permitting, the first prescribed burns of 2026 were set to begin this week, with additional events planned for properties in Exeter, West Greenwich, Coventry, Richmond, Jamestown and South Kingstown. The burns depend on weather and wind conditions and are typically announced a day in advance, with public notice through social media, website updates, and flyers to nearby landowners once a burn window has been identified.
The planned fires are used to help reduce the buildup of dry vegetation that can fuel unplanned, destructive wildfires, while also promoting a mix of habitats that support native plants and wildlife, RIDEM notes. Across the United States, prescribed fire is a widely used land management tool used by wildlife biologists and land managers.
Burns are led by experts from DEM’s Forest Fire Program, who employ detailed operational and safety plans.
In a release on the controlled fires, RIDEM noted that 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, including an area at Durfee Hill.
The 2,104 acre property, which is accessed by Reynolds Road and abuts the George Washington Management Area in Connecticut, is used for hiking, hunting, sledding, birding and nature walks.
RIDEM noted the latest round of shaded fuelbreak brush-clearing projects will 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,” noted a release.
The department notes that in addition to ecological benefits, prescribed burns provide valuable, real-world training opportunities for wildland firefighters, helping ensure readiness for emergency response
A burn window occurs when fuel, moisture, and weather conditions align to safely meet management goals, including fuel reduction, habitat improvement, and ecological restoration. Fire behavior, fuels, and weather are monitored throughout the burn, and if the prescription parameters are exceeded, the fire is shut down.
Exact dates are announced on relatively short notice because they depend on the weather. Burns only happen when conditions are safe and effective, such as the right fuel moisture and wind.
Additional burns are planned for targeted parcels at 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.
RIDEM burn managers have reportedly obtained the required local permits and an exemption from state air pollution control regulation Part 4: Open Fires. Managers also have communicated with the towns Fire Chiefs, Rhode Island Southern Firefighters League, US Fish and Wildlife Service, DEM’s Division of Fish & Wildlife, and the DEM’s Office of Air Resources.
For updates from RIDEM including the announcement of details regarding the planned burn in Glocester follow RIDEM on Facebook, Twitter/X or Instagram.
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