An upcoming controlled burn at Jordan Lake could lead to Chapel Hill residents experiencing smokey conditions for a multi-day period.

A release from the North Carolina Forest Service Wednesday said personnel at Chapel Hill’s Jordan Lake Educational Forest will commence prescribed fire operations “on a 74-acre tract, weather permitting, within the next several days.” The fire will be started at the “Demonstration Trail,” which is located on a peninsula in the state forest’s southern section.

The release asked that visitors to the Educational State Forest avoid the Demonstration Trail during the burning period. It also said that depending on where exactly the burn takes place and the wind direction at the time, different areas could experience smoky conditions for variable lengths of time.

“Prescribed fire is the carefully planned use of fire under strict, predetermined weather and fuel parameters to obtain specific management objectives,” the release read. “This critical tool remains one of the most efficient and cost-effective forest management practices, helping North Carolina forests remain healthy and thrive. Prescribed fire improves overall health of the forest and wildlife habitat while consuming vegetative fuels to reduce wildfire risk.”

A leaflet published by the state’s forest service went into more detail on how controlled burns benefit the plant ecosystem of a specific area.

“In existing forest stands, prescribed fire is used to consume the surface fuels and understory vegetation while minimizing fire impacts to overstory trees. Many plants and animals are able to survive these low-intensity burns. In-stand fires have different benefits depending on the burn objectives.”

Those who would like to learn more about the N.C. Forest Service’s prescribed fire process can do so here.

 

Featured image via U.S. Army

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