Monongahela National Forest staff plans to conduct prescribed burns and pile burns this fall and winter, weather permitting. These treatments will help re-establish fire’s natural role in the forest ecosystem, improve forest health and wildlife habitat, and reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfires.
Prescribed burns and pile burns planned for the north zone of the national forest are as follows.
- Guinn Ridge Prescribed Burn, 1,462 acres, Pocahontas County
- Ramshorn Ridge Prescribed Burn, 1,005 acres, Pocahontas County
- Nursery Bottom Prescribed Burn, 54 acres, Tucker County
- Mower-Glover Range Allotment Pile Burn, Pendleton County
- Smokehole-Champ Range Allotment Pile Burn, Grant County
Each burn area will be closed to the public on the day of the burn and may be closed for several days after to ensure public safety. Signs will be posted on roads near all prescribed burn areas before and during burning. Residents and visitors may see and smell smoke for several days. If a person encounters smoke on the highway, slow down, turn on the vehicle’s lights and drive appropriately for the conditions.
Prescribed burns are conducted under specific weather conditions and are designed to accomplish pre-determined forest management goals. 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.
County emergency operations centers and local radio stations will be notified when burning begins. Information will also be posted at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/ and https://www.facebook.com/MonongahelaNF.
