CEG torches 23-acre tract Published Feb. 12, 2009 By Wayne Crenshaw 78th Air Base Wing Public Affairs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Controlled burning is a common practice among landowners, but there's only one small spot at Robins where that technique is employed. With the assistance of the Georgia Forestry Commission, the Environmental Management Division of the 78th Civil Engineer Group torched a 23-acre tract on the end of the base Feb. 9. Bob Sargent, natural and cultural resources manager at Robins, said the purpose of the burn is to promote the growth of longleaf pines on the tract. At this time of year, he said, the sap is down in the pines and burning would not hurt the trees, but it will eliminate the underbrush and hardwood growth that crowds out the young pines. "When it's done right, it's an important management tool," he said. Longleafs were once plentiful in America, he said, with an estimated 60 million of the trees believed to be here when Europeans first arrived. Today, estimates put that total at three to four million. Longleaf pines are beneficial to a number of endangered species, including the red cockaded woodpecker. By promoting the growth of the longleaf tract at Robins, Mr. Sargent said, the base is making a contribution to improving the environment. "Restoring that ecosystem is doing something to enhance the biological diversity of the base," he said. They generally try to burn off the tract every three years, but the most recent burn was the first in five years. As the fire blazed away, at times a loud cracking sound occurred. That, Mr. Sergeant said, is from blank firearm cartridges left behind during training exercises on the base. He recalled keeping watch over the fire at night when they burned off the track five years ago. "Standing out there in the dark with those things going off is quite an experience," he said. Steve Logan, chief ranger of Georgia Forestry Commission's Perry-Houston County office, said now is the ideal time of year to burn off woods. He said the forestry service will provide assistance to landowners for an affordable fee. One key thing the foresters do is plow a break around the perimeter of the burn off area to make sure the fire doesn't escape. Mr. Logan said that one benefit of burning off woods during winter is it eliminates the underbrush that can fuel dangerous wildfires that may occur during the summer months. "It promotes growth of the trees and benefits all kinds of wildlife," he said.