• MassWildlife, in cooperation with the Department of Conservation and Recreation Fire Control District 9 and local fire departments, organized a prescribed fire at the Montague Plains Wildlife Management Area on Tuesday and plans to do so again on Wednesday, weather permitting. Credit: PAUL FRANZ / Staff Photo
  • MassWildlife, in cooperation with the Department of Conservation and Recreation Fire Control District 9 and local fire departments, organized a prescribed fire at the Montague Plains Wildlife Management Area on Tuesday. According to MassWildlife Valley District Manager Joe Rogers, the controlled burn helps fire-dependent species such as scrub oak and reduces the potential for large wildfires. Credit: PAUL FRANZ / Staff Photo
  • A firefighter uses a drip torch with a mixture of gasoline and diesel as MassWildlife, in cooperation with the Department of Conservation and Recreation, monitors the start of a prescribed fire in the Montague Plains Wildlife Management Area on Tuesday. Credit: PAUL FRANZ / Staff Photo
  • MassWildlife, in cooperation with the Department of Conservation and Recreation, started a prescribed fire in the Montague Plains Wildlife Management Area on Tuesday and plans to do so again on Wednesday, if weather permits. Credit: PAUL FRANZ / Staff Photo

Paul Franz is the Photo Editor of the Greenfield Recorder and has worked there since 1989. He can be reached at pfranz@recorder.com