The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management plans to resume prescribed burns on state lands this week, with low-severity fires planned at locations across seven communities, weather permitting.
DEM’s Forest Fire Program is targeting parcels at Durfee Hill Management Area in Glocester, 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.
Prescribed burns depend on weather and wind conditions and are typically announced a day in advance. DEM said it will notify nearby landowners and post updates on social media and its website once a burn window has been identified.
The burns are designed to maintain healthy habitats and reduce hazardous fuels that can contribute to extreme wildfires. DEM said climate change is increasing wildfire risk by creating warmer, drier conditions and longer fire seasons. In 2025, Rhode Island experienced 62 wildfires, and DEM conducted 12 prescribed burns treating more than 100 acres of state land.
Prescribed burns are led by experts from DEM’s Forest Fire Program, who monitor fire behavior, fuels and weather throughout each burn. If conditions exceed safety parameters, the burn is shut down.
More information is available at dem.ri.gov.
