Forest in Ohio to burn to help oak, hickory trees

PEDRO, Ohio (AP) — Officials will conduct controlled burns over 1,700 acres of the Wayne National Forest in southeast Ohio in an effort to improve certain tree growth and wildlife habitat.

Plans are to have burns from today through April 20, depending on weather.

Officials say a goal is to create conditions that allow young oak and hickory trees to thrive, and that occasional burning helps them compete with other species, such as maple and beech.

Oak and hickory trees provide habitat to a various wildlife species such as squirrel, deer and turkey.

The burn could be postponed based on temperature, humidity, atmosphere stability wind-direction and other factors. Fire lines, several feet wide,