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With the right weather forecast, New River
Gorge National River conducted a prescribed burn near the
Sandstone Visitor Center on Monday, April 11, 2005. A 0.6
acre grassy hillside in front of the visitor center was burned
to discourage tree growth in favor of native grasses and plants.
Beginning just before 11:00 a.m., the operation was done in
about an hour. "We used drip torches to set a backing
fire in a series of strip burns to reduce the intensity and
potential for the fire to escape. Water from fire hose lines
was applied to places that we didn't want to get too
hot, such as where native plants are already growing,"
Fire Management Officer Bruce Miller explained.
Fourteen NPS employees were assisted by
staff from the Green Sulphur District Volunteer Fire Department
and the West Virginia Division of Forestry. Also on hand were
two Summers County plant nursery and landscape businessmen:
Peter Haus, owner of the Enchanter's Garden, and Chris
Chanlett, owner of Groundworks. The NPS has contracted with
Haus and Chanlett to help maintain the visitor center landscape
in a way that reflects natural conditions found on dry hillsides
of the New River watershed.
John Perez, NPS Wildlife Biologist, was
the ignition specialist. "Today's prescribed burn removed
and recycled the thick stubble into nutrients necessary to
stimulate growth of native grasses," said Perez. "They
will grow to 6-8 feet tall and will need to be burned every
2-5 years to keep this plant community in an early stage of
succession. It will provide excellent food and shelter for
a variety of song birds, small mammals, and game animals."
"Although today’s burn was successful
in terms of immediate objectives, it will be a year before
we can determine if our long term goals were met," Perez
continued. "We want to see at least 60% of the vegetation
in native grasses and no more than 10% in woody species."
Contact: Barb Stewart, Regional
Fire Education, Prevention, and Information Specialist
Phone: (434) 977-1375 x3365
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