The Tucker County portion of the Monongahela National Forest will conduct a series of fall prescribed burns from mid-October through mid-November, weather permitting. the purpose of these treatments is to re-establish fire’s natural role in the forest ecosystem, improve forest health and wildlife habitat and reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfires, according to the Forest Service.
The planned prescribed burns are scheduled for Nursery Bottom, a 52-acre area in Tucker County and the Upper John B. Hollow, a 210-acre area of Tucker County, as well as Upper Greenbrier North, a 464-acre area of Pocahontas County.
The burn areas will be closed to the public for not only the day of the burn, but also potentially several days after to ensure public safety, the Forest Service said. The Forest Service will post signs on roads near all prescribed burn areas before and during burning. Smoke may be visible to residents and visitors for several days following.
If smoke is encountered on the road, the Forest Service suggests to slow down, turn on the vehicle’s headlights and drive appropriately to conditions.
“Prescribed burns are conducted under specific weather conditions and are designed to accomplish pre-determined forest management goals,” the Forest Service said. “Monongahela National Forest follows strict guidelines for conducting prescribed burns, and takes into consideration environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, smoke dispersion and wind. If any environmental conditions are not within limits, the burn will be postponed.”
For more information about Monongahela National Forest, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/monongahela or https://www.facebook.com/MonongahelaNF.
