Prescribed burn planned on Pisgah Ranger District

The U.S. Forest Service plans to conduct a 200-acre prescribed burn on the Pisgah Ranger District this week.

The burn will take place at Sam Knob. The goal of the burn is to maintain and improve the open area of the balds and improve wildlife habitat.

For the safety of firefighters and forest visitors there will be a few temporary closures within the burn area. These temporary closures include Black Balsam Road, FSR 816 just past the Art Loeb Trail crossing, the Black Balsam parking lot at the end of FSR 816, Flat Laurel Creek Trail #346, Sam Knob Trail #617, and Sam Knob Summit (#617A).

The dates for the burn 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 accounted for. 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 as well as non-game species.



Jeff
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