The U.S. Forest Service is planning a 560-acre prescribed burn on the Grandfather Ranger District in Avery County, near the Caldwell County line, in the coming week. The burn will reduce the risk of wildfires and improve forest health. This burn is planned for the Rockhouse Creek unit, located 10 miles northwest of Collettsville, NC and 5 miles south of Grandfather Mountain State Park along FSR 451.
The dates for the burn and the actual number of acres 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.
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 species 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 wild 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 risk.
For prescribed burn updates follow the National Forests in North Carolina on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nfsnc. Updates will be posted on our website at www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/nfsnc/alerts-notices.
The lands that make up the Grandfather Ranger District are those public lands that run from the McDowell/Buncombe county line on Black Mountain just east of Asheville over to US 321 between Lenoir and Blowing Rock. The Blue Ridge Parkway forms the northern boundary of the district. The Grandfather Ranger District began under the Weeks Act with the purchase of an 8,100acre tract in 1912. Now, the district covers over 192,000 acres.
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