Blackrock
SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK, VA
Prescribed Fire Treatment

Started on or about
05/07/2008 (Morning)

Status as of
06/03/2008

Cause
Project

Location
Near milepost 85 along the Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park. (VA)

Acreage Treated
282

Percent Completed
100%

Estimated Completion Date
May 7, 2008

Park Status
Open

Overview
The burn went well. Conditions in Shenandoah National Park were within prescription on May 7 and fire managers treated 282 acres towards helping oaks and table mountain pine to thrive. Fire crept on the ground, burst out in bushes and torched entire pine trees. Flames cleared out some seedbeds and opened up sections of the canopy, which should be especially good for the Appalachian native, table mountain pine. All this was accomlished without accident or injury.

Vegetation Affected
Tree litter, brush, pockets of pine.

Air / Smoke Issues
Smoke rose and dispersed quickly.

Benefits of the Burn
The purpose is to help oaks and pines regenerate by cleaning up the seedbed and opening the canopy to allow more sunlight to get to young seedlings. The burn unit showed a good mosaic of severity.

Values to be Protected
During the burn, firefighter and public safety were paramount. When necessary, motorists were guided around the burn unit by a pilot car. Overnight, a few miles of the Drive were closed, but reopened the following morning. Because the unit included a section of the Appalachian Trail, park staff shuttled hikers around the temporarily closed section. A three-sided hiking shelter, a camping site and a privy were successfully protected throughout the project.

Partners Involved
Parks in the Northeast and National Capital Regions, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Grottoes and Dooms Fire Departments.

Contact Information
Barb Stewart
Phone Number: 434-220-9065
Barb_Stewart@nps.gov