Burning has begun

Last Thursday officially began our prescribed burning season. We use fire as a management tool to help us attain land management goals. Fire helps to create plant and animal habitat throughout our district, our state, and the United States. Burning helps us to change the makeup of the habitat to achieve varying objectives.

A brief history

Here in western North Carolina, the Cherokees manipulated their environment by using controlled burning to clear farmland and give hunters easier access to game. Some have even theorized that the burning helped create the distinctive, treeless southern Appalachian balds. In any case, the burning did enrich the soil and encourage certain species, such as pines and nut- and acorn-producing trees. Early North American settlers observed these activities and continued the practice of using fire in much the same way.

Our first burn of the year was conducted on the Buffalo Cove Game Lands located mostly in western Caldwell County. Our crew was assisted by the Burnsville and Morganton wildlife management crews as well as our regional forester and assistant forester.



While not a large burn, it was a good "warm up" for refreshing us on procedures and also to make sure all equipment was in proper working order.


Once the line is blacked in, it is patrolled to watch for any spot-overs.


After the burn has been completed we go around to "mop up". We go completely around the burn and extinguish anything still burning or smoking within 50 feet of the fire line. Here Shane puts out a smoldering root ball.

And during a long day, a quick rest is always welcomed!