Don’t be alarmed! That cloud of smoke wafting through the skies over State College is no cause for concern. The Pennsylvania Game Commission is conducting controlled burns Thursday at the Scotia Barrens.
This morning, fire crews armed with torches lit-up about 60 acres of scrub in an area that’s also known as State Game Land 176. Before they’re done, about 136 acres will be scorched.
Those game lands cover parts of Patton, Ferguson and Halfmoon townships.
The Game Commission says the burn is needed to restore the pitch pine/scrub oak ecosystem at the Scotia Barrens and to reduce the threat of wildfire to nearby homes.
In a statement, Game Commission Bureau of Wildlife Habitat Management Director Bill Capouillez says residents should not be concerned, “People become upset when there is smoke in the air if they don’t know the reason for the fire.”
“If we carefully plan and conduct a burn when weather conditions favor smoke dispersal, this reduces smoke-related problems. “
PennDot says drivers near the burn site may notice smoke traveling toward the Stormstown and possibly Port Matilda areas. Roadway users who observe smoke in that area are asked not to contact emergency responders.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission expects the burn to be complete by 3:30 p.m., however some residual smoke may remain into the evening hours.
Capouillez says, “Dealing with a little bit of smoke now is infinitely better than trying to control a raging wildfire later.”
Check out StateCollege.com’s dramatic video of today’s controlled burn.
