LACONIA, N.H. (AP) – Officials have been setting small fires in the White Mountain National Forest to get rid of brush and improve wildlife habitat.

Forest officials say they’d like to burn about 135 acres this spring in New Hampshire. Most of the fires are small, from one to six acres, though a 40-acre field in Albany also is on the list.

The Forest Service burns openings in the forest to maintain grassy and shrubby habitat for wildlife feeding, nesting and cover. Periodic burning also discourages hardwood trees from encroaching and dominating the habitat areas and helps reduce the potential of wildfires by clearing leaves, brush and fallen wood.

AP-ES-04-30-07 1412EDT

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