Smoke may be visible over the Vineyard’s south coast throughout the day on Thursday as Vineyard fire officials conduct a controlled burn at Long Point Wildlife Refuge in West Tisbury, owned by The Trustees of Reservations. Working as part of The Martha’s Vineyard Prescribed Fire Partnership, a fire team will closely monitor local weather conditions, such as wind and humidity, and adjust the scheduled burns as needed.

Now a common sight on the Vineyard, especially in the spring, controlled burns are used as a land management tool by Island conservation organizations.

Members of the prescribed fire partnership include Mass Audubon, The Nature Conservancy, Polly Hill Arboretum, Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation, and The Trustees of Reservations.