Press
11-24-2008, 17:31
PRESCRIBED FIRE PLANNED IN AMHERST COUNTY
Natural Bridge Station, VA—Glenwood-Pedlar Ranger District officials plan to ignite a prescribed burn totaling 1,075 acres in Amherst County, on Cole Mountain between Hog Gap Camp, Cow Camp Road and the Old Hotel Trail. The exact date depends on weather and fuel conditions but the burn should occur between December 08, 2008 and mid-April of 2009. When dates become known, the media, local signing and phone contacts will be used to notify the public. The method of ignition could be both aerial and hand ignition.
The location of the prescribed burn is southeast of Forest Road 520 (beginning at the intersection with Forest Road 48), south of Forest Road 48 and north of a segment of the Old Hotel Trail to the North Fork of Buffalo River. A portion of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (A.T.) does traverse through the proposed burn area.
The Appalachian Trail will be closed during the burn from Long Mountain Wayside at Route 60 north to Hog Camp Gap for safety reasons. Personnel will be available to shuttle hikers as necessary. In addition, Cow Camp Road (Forest Road 520) will temporarily be closed for the prescribed burn, if the desired burning parameters are met before the road is closed for winter on January 10th 2009.
“Cole Mountain has historically been managed as open fields and some of the areas have been mowed annually to maintain the open area vistas, particularly along the A.T.,” explained District Ranger Annie Downing. “Despite our efforts, we are seeing encroachment of thorns, multi-flora rose and other shrubby vegetation which is reducing the open area. A prescribed fire will allow us to reduce this undesirable vegetation to better manage our open areas, vistas and wildlife clearings as well as reduce the fire hazard in this area for several years.”
Ecologists emphasize that fire is a historical, natural part of our environment. Fire returns valuable nutrients to the soil, opens overgrown areas to sunlight, and stimulates new growth and seed germination, providing wildlife with food and habitat. Without fire, many ecosystems become stagnant and lose their biological diversity.
If you have questions about the use of prescribed fire on the Glenwood -Pedlar Ranger District or if you would like to be called prior to ignition of the prescribed burn, please contact the District Ranger at (540) 291-2188.
Natural Bridge Station, VA—Glenwood-Pedlar Ranger District officials plan to ignite a prescribed burn totaling 1,075 acres in Amherst County, on Cole Mountain between Hog Gap Camp, Cow Camp Road and the Old Hotel Trail. The exact date depends on weather and fuel conditions but the burn should occur between December 08, 2008 and mid-April of 2009. When dates become known, the media, local signing and phone contacts will be used to notify the public. The method of ignition could be both aerial and hand ignition.
The location of the prescribed burn is southeast of Forest Road 520 (beginning at the intersection with Forest Road 48), south of Forest Road 48 and north of a segment of the Old Hotel Trail to the North Fork of Buffalo River. A portion of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (A.T.) does traverse through the proposed burn area.
The Appalachian Trail will be closed during the burn from Long Mountain Wayside at Route 60 north to Hog Camp Gap for safety reasons. Personnel will be available to shuttle hikers as necessary. In addition, Cow Camp Road (Forest Road 520) will temporarily be closed for the prescribed burn, if the desired burning parameters are met before the road is closed for winter on January 10th 2009.
“Cole Mountain has historically been managed as open fields and some of the areas have been mowed annually to maintain the open area vistas, particularly along the A.T.,” explained District Ranger Annie Downing. “Despite our efforts, we are seeing encroachment of thorns, multi-flora rose and other shrubby vegetation which is reducing the open area. A prescribed fire will allow us to reduce this undesirable vegetation to better manage our open areas, vistas and wildlife clearings as well as reduce the fire hazard in this area for several years.”
Ecologists emphasize that fire is a historical, natural part of our environment. Fire returns valuable nutrients to the soil, opens overgrown areas to sunlight, and stimulates new growth and seed germination, providing wildlife with food and habitat. Without fire, many ecosystems become stagnant and lose their biological diversity.
If you have questions about the use of prescribed fire on the Glenwood -Pedlar Ranger District or if you would like to be called prior to ignition of the prescribed burn, please contact the District Ranger at (540) 291-2188.