Melanie Lekocevic reports for Columbia-Greene Media that the state Department of Environmental Conservation and the Coeymans Hollow Volunteer Fire Corporation on May 2 held a controlled burn on forested land at the Louise E. Keir Wildlife Management Area in Coeymans Hollow. “Smoke could be seen for miles rising above the preserve on Blodgett Hill,” said Jack Dennis, one of 53 forest rangers, staff from DEC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife, Division of Lands and Forests, and Albany Pine Bush staff at the burn. “The undergrowth was set ablaze to enhance the growth of vegetation that is important to the growth of the preserve.” The DEC said that 14.5 acres was burned to allow some rare plant species to be able to grow. “The prescribed burns will help restore, improve and maintain the health of the pitch pine-oak-heath rocky summit by reintroducing fire to this fire-dependent community,” according to a DEC statement. “Historically, fire played an important role in shaping and maintaining this community.” Read the full story at HudsonValley360.com.