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Parkway Detour in effect near Ridgeland
An 8-mile section of the Parkway will be closed to vehicular traffic on March 14, 2012, due to a major safety hazard that has developed near milepost 94.8 between Ridgeland, MS, and Clinton, MS. More »
Controlled Burning along the Natchez Trace Parkway 2012
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The Natchez Trace Parkway has released its prescribed fire (controlled burning) schedule for 2011-2012. From October 2011 through September 2012, prescribed fire operations will be conducted at various locations along the Parkway (See table below).
Prescribed fire is a useful and cost effective tool for managing the forests and grasslands that encompass the Parkway. The benefits of using prescribed fire include reducing the buildup of dead woody material, decreasing the risk of catastrophic wildfire, perpetuating fire dependent vegetation, reducing exotic vegetation, providing habitat and forage for animals, and restoring the natural role of fire in a healthy ecosystem. During prescribed fire operations, smoke warning signs will be placed along the Parkway as a precaution. Motorists should travel at a safe speed with headlights on when smoke is visible. Please be aware of park rangers, firefighting personnel, and equipment along the roadway and mow line. If visibility falls below 500 feet, the Parkway may be temporarily closed until smoke has cleared. Some smoke may be visible for several days after initial prescribed fire operations have ended. The Parkway has been utilizing prescribed fire since 1992. Direction to utilize prescribed fire to achieve goals and objectives comes from the Parkway's Resource Management and Fire Management Plan. The Federal Wildland Fire Policy of 2001 recommends that federal land management agencies within fire dependent communities continue to reintroduce and maintain fire as part of the ecosystem. |
Did You Know?
The "Sunken Trace" at milepost 41.5 on the Natchez Trace Parkway was caused by thousands of travelers walking over the easily eroded loess soil.