By looking for alternatives and keeping a flexible attitude, Burn Boss Pete Jerkins and Mammoth Cave National Park managers accomplished three prescribed fires, 3,287 acres, in FY 2008.
By April 14, a deluge of snow and rain during the burning season had offered no opportunities for ignition. The week’s forecast was questionable, green up and burn restrictions due to the endangered Indiana bat (April 30) were fast approaching. In the hopes that the weather would cooperate, the decision was made to mobilize.
Resources assembled from Mammoth Cave National Park, Great Onyx Job Corps, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Natchez Trace Parkway, Cumberland Gap Fire Use Module, the Southeast Region’s dedicated fuels helicopter, and neighboring Lincoln, KY Volunteer Fire Department (VFD). Lincoln VFD supplied a water tender and staged the helibase on its property just north of the park’s boundary.
On April 16, with miles of fire on the ground and the interior of Goblin Knob partially burned, the helicopter developed mechanical problems and headed for Nashville, TN for repairs.
“We had a problem but worked around it,” said Jerkins. “On April 17, we staffed Goblin Knob with two engine crews and an ATV with water. Since another qualified burn boss was on-scene, he monitored Goblin while I proceeded to Brooks Knob. Resources staged at Brooks Knob, but we held off operations until firing on Goblin was complete. We did both jobs and still kept the staffing levels required in the plans.”
The helicopter returned to the landing zone at 12:00 on April 17, and began aerial ignition. In just over two hours the helicopter finished ignition at Goblin Knob, and by 4:40 p.m. aerial ignition on Brooks Knob was complete. On April 18, crews tackled and completed Peanut Knob.
In addition, four task books were completed and certified, two annual certifications were completed, twelve training assignments were facilitated; there were no injuries or equipment damage. Resource and fuels goals were met on all three burns.
Contact: Rich Caldwell, Fire Management Officer/Park Ranger
Phone: (270) 758-2119
*This story supports the National Fire Plan |
