Prescribed fire operations will be conducted through November as weather conditions permit in the Buffalo National River area.
Prescribed burning will take place in the vicinity of Pruitt, Gene Rush Wildlife Management Area and Tyler Bend. Fuel reduction, wildlife habitat improvement and ecological restoration are the primary reasons for the intentional burning.
"Fire is a natural process and has been a part of the Ozarks landscape for thousands of years," said Fenn Wimberly, National Park Service fire management officer. "Prescribed fire is a way to restore fire to ecosystems in a carefully planned manner, using specific and controlled weather and personnel guidelines to protect public safety and property while improving habitat for native plants and animals and reducing the threat of uncontrolled wildfire."
Buffalo National River's prescribed fire program has been in place since the early 1980s in support of maintaining fire-dependent ecosystems and species, such as the native wildflowers and wildlife.
Fire managers hope to minimize smoke in surrounding communities, though smoke-sensitive individuals may want to avoid outside activities on the day of the operation.
Other agencies who typically undertake prescribed burns at this time of year include the U.S. Forest Service, The Nature Conservancy, Arkansas Forestry Commission and Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
Sports on 10/13/2015