• Young people floating past yellow flowers

    Ozark

    National Scenic Riverways Missouri

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  • Closings and service reductaions due to Federal Budget Cuts announced.

    The public will experience reduced hours and services provided by Ozark National Scenic Riverways due to the budget cuts that became effective March 1, 2013. Please check back often for further details or changes. List of closed facilities, click "MORE." More »

Prescribed Burns

Firefighter monitoring a prescribed fire

Firefighter monitors a prescribed burn

NPS photo by Andy Ruth

Prescribed fires are planned and implemented by trained fire professionals. The ignition and timing of these prescribed burns is dependent on the weather and fuels meeting the parameters of the burn prescription.

Prescribed burning has a variety of purposes, including the reduction of fuel accumulations near developed areas, which helps reduce the threat of wildfires in and around Ozark National Scenic Riverways. It also benefits native species and habitats in a variety of ways. Native species are adapted to fire, and in many cases actually depend on fire in order to thrive. Prescribed fires help preserve native habitats such as glades and savannas, which can suffer from the encroachment of invasive woody species, and also improves the quality of forests and woodlands. Deer, turkeys, collared lizards and other species benefit from the use of fire to maintain or improve the habitat they depend on.

For more information about recent prescribed fires conducted by the fire management staff at Ozark National Scenic Riverways, select the links below:

Did You Know?

The Jacks Fork River

Ozark National Scenic Riverways was established in 1964, making it America's first national park area to protect a wild river system. More at www.nps.gov/ozar More...