Shenandoah National Park Plans Controlled Burn of 500 Acres

Shenandoah National Park Fire Managers plan to burn 500 acres Sunday, May 1 and Monday, May 2, weather permitting. The area is in the park's south district, west of Jarman Gap and northeast of Waynesboro, Virginia.

The Jarman Gap Prescribed Burn aims to reduce hazardous fuels and the threat of a major wildfire. The burn will also help oak and pine communities. The forest of chestnut oak, pitch, Virginia and table mountain pines provides valuable habitat for a variety of wildlife. The fire will help to promote oak and pine regeneration, additional animal food sources and increased plant diversity.

The fire will mimic natural processes as much as possible. It will be lit in such a way that the fire will move fairly slowly down the ridges with low flames. There will be smoke. Some individual trees will burn, but the fire will travel mostly across the forest floor.

During the burn, one trail will be closed to the public, Gasline Road.





Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com