2006

On Wednesday, March 29, 2006 the park introduced 115 acres of prescribed fire into the Wastewater Treatment Plant burn unit of the park for the first time. Through the use of prescribed fire, the park is making progress towards reducing heavy fuel loads caused by southern pine beetle and ice storm damage.

On Friday, March 31 the Aster Burn Unit was treated with 220 acres of prescribed fire for hazard fuel reduction and habitat enhancement for Georgia Aster, a fire adapted species of concern.

The 180 acre Swale Burn was a wildland–urban interface burn conducted in April/May 2006. It was designed to reduce hazard fuels along a section of the park's northern boundary. Other goals for the burn were reduction of mid-story density and increasing native grass habitat. The burn area was one of many areas impacted by the southern pine beetle. Fire effects monitoring plots were installed by the USDA Forest Service and Clemson University to gather information on the effects of burning in pine beetle killed timber. Each plot received a specific treatment (i.e. Gyro-Trac only, Gyro-Trac and burn, and burn only.)

Contact: Chris Revels, Chief Ranger/FMO
Phone: (864) 936-7921

Kings Mountain National Military Park
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