US Forest Service Announces Prescribed Burns for Nantahala Ranger District

File photo of the Camp Branch Fire taken in November 2016

Franklin, NC, February 27, 2020  - The U.S. Forest Service is planning 16 prescribed burns on the Nantahala Ranger District in the coming months to reduce the risk of wildfires. The low- to medium-intensity burns also create healthier, more diverse, and more resilient forests that can better support wildlife.

County	Closest Community	Burn Unit	Size (acres)
Macon	Burningtown	Deweese Ridge	840
Macon	Horse Cove	Bull Pen	722
Macon	Nantahala	Fire Gap	1751
Macon	Nantahala	Split Whiteoak	1025
Macon	Nantahala	Hickory Branch	1107
Macon	Nantahala	Yellowhammer	220
Macon	Rainbow Springs	Buzzard Knob	695
Macon	Rainbow Springs	Kimsey Bald	8
Macon	Rainbow Springs	Panther Knob	3000
Jackson	Alarka Laurel	Wolf Knob	574
Jackson	Little Canada	Awl Knob	243
Jackson	Little Canada	Sugar Creek	255
Jackson	Little Canada	Rich Mountain	1201
Jackson	Panthertown	Big Green	497
Jackson	Wayehutta	Locust Gap	255
Jackson	Whitewater Falls	State Line	1700

The dates for the burns and the actual number of units burned will depend upon weather conditions. Burning days are changeable because the proper conditions are needed; wind and relative humidity are key factors in fire behavior, safety, and smoke control. Prescribed burning will only occur when environmental conditions permit. During the burns, proper personnel and equipment will be on site and some roads and trails may be closed to ensure safety.

All prescribed burns are thoroughly planned and analyzed by a team of specialists to ensure that wildlife, fisheries, rare plants, and historic sites are not harmed. Habitat for a variety of wildlife can be improved through carefully-planned and executed prescribed burns. Regular burns promote the growth of plants that provide food for wildlife including important game animals such as deer and turkey.

Prescribed burning is an important and versatile forest management tool that can mimic natural fire disturbances and reduce underbrush and flammable vegetation, which is key to limiting wildfire growth. During the historic fire season of 2016, some fires were quickly extinguished because of previous prescribed burning that had occurred in those areas.

For more information contact the Nantahala Ranger District at 828-524-6441.

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