Prescribed Fire To
Occur In Big South Fork NRRA
Through years of scientific research we have learned that fire is an essential, natural process. It has helped shape our woodlands for thousands of years, and is important for the survival of many plants and animals. Fires remove the layers of dead and down trees, leaves and other vegetation from the forest floor that can inhibit plant growth and recycle the nutrients back into the environment. Fire also increases the diversity of plant and wildlife habitat; some plants, such as American Chaffseed, have disappeared from the park because they need fire to reproduce.
Prior to human settlement, the fire history of the Southern Appalachian Region was a pattern of small, low intensity fires interspersed over the landscape at irregular intervals with occasional large fires. The frequency at which fires occurred increased with the arrival of humans about 10,000 years ago. European settlers used fire to clear land and facilitate farming and grazing in to the early 1900s.
The prescribed fire, as defined in the park’s Fire Management Plan, will be located within the boundaries of the park. Only when the weather and conditions meet the defined prescription will the fire be ignited. In addition to meeting specific conditions, crews of 25–40 firefighters and several engines will be on hand for the burn. Any park neighbor who may be impacted will be contacted prior to ignition.
During
a prescribed burn all roads and trails in the burn area will be temporarily
closed for visitor safety. During
today’s burn this will include the
Please
contact the park’s