 Back in mid-February, Smoke filled the sky over Lake Martin as Alabama Extension hosted an interactive learn-to-burn workshop at Wind Creek State Park in cooperation with Alabama State Park System and the Alabama Forestry Foundation. Participants were able to gain hands-on experience with prescribed fire in the many tools of the trade necessary for conducting a successful burn. Prescribed fires are necessary for maintaining healthy forest and quality wildlife habitat around Lake Martin and throughout the state of Alabama. Wind Creek contains a diverse array of forested stands surrounding Lake Martin, such as mature open longleaf stands to upland mixed pine hardwoods and down to creek drains dominated by poplar and beach. Attendees saw how the weather, terrain and differing forest types and field types can affect the intensity of a prescribed fire. For more information on learn-to-burn workshops or how you can use prescribed fire to improve your forest and wildlife habitat, please visit the Alabama Extension website at aces.edu.