NYS Parks to Conduct Prescribed Burns at Big Bend Preserve

MOREAU — New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) is preparing for its second prescribed burn season at Big Bend Preserve, with plans to conduct burns this spring, summer, and fall. 

State Parks treated 112 acres with prescribed fire at Big Bend during the inaugural burn season in 2025 as part of the agency’s stewardship efforts.

 Burns will only be conducted when weather conditions meet strict safety and suitability standards. Factors such as wind speed, humidity, and fuel moisture levels will be carefully assessed before scheduling any burn. Due to these considerations, specific burn dates cannot be provided far in advance.

Each prescribed burn will last approximately one day. The burns will be conducted by State Parks staff in collaboration with partners such as the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Albany Pine Bush Preserve.

During burn operations, temporary closures of roads, trails, and certain areas within Big Bend Preserve may occur to ensure public safety. Notifications will be posted on the Moreau Lake State Park website, mobile app, and Facebook page approximately 24 hours prior to the burns taking place.

Those who wish to receive advance notifications of upcoming prescribed burns can download the NYS Parks Explorer app and save Moreau Lake State Park for push notifications.