New River Gorge National River fire managers are preparing for several prescribed fires this spring, between February 25 and May 31, weather permitting. Current plans include burning four separate units ranging in size from five to 45 acres, totaling approximately 93 acres. Fuel and weather conditions must be within certain burn plan parameters and will determine the exact dates of the prescribed burns.

 

Two of the fire units are located in the park's south district (Carper Field and Sandstone); two other units (Backus I and II) are located in the park's north district. Prescribed fires allow fire managers to conduct a safe burn under optimal conditions with sufficient resources available to meet specific objectives such as decreasing the risks from wildland fire to life, property and resources, restoring ecological processes, and meeting specific resource management goals. This spring's prescribed fires will reduce hazardous fuels and the threat of future wildland fires, control encroachment of woody species into open meadows, improve wildlife habitat, and promote oak regeneration.

During the Sandstone prescribed fire, smoke will be visible from Interstate 64 and the Sandstone Visitor Center will be temporarily closed for a few hours to ensure public, staff, and firefighter safety. Up-to-date information on any facility or trail closures and fire activity will be posted on the park's social media sites.

Burn Unit                        Location                                          Acres

Backus I                           Sout heastern Fayette County                17

Backus II                          Southeastern Fayette County                45

Carper Field                     Northeastern Raleigh County                26

Sandstone                         Northern Summers County                     5      

       

For each prescribed fire, fire managers work with other resource managers for several years planning and writing a specific prescription that includes parameters for smoke impacts, wind speed and direction, relative humidity, fuel moisture for live and dead burnable vegetation, and more. The plans also delineate the types and numbers of resources needed to safely conduct each burn. Before burning, a designated set of conditions must exist including ideal air temperature, wind speed and direction, and relative humidity. Weather conditions will be monitored throughout the duration of the burn to ensure the prescribed fire is completed safely.

 

For more information about the fire management program at the park  click here