• Visitors bask in a golden sunset at Dickey Ridge Visitor Center in Shenandoah National Park

    Shenandoah

    National Park Virginia

There are park alerts in effect.
hide Alerts »

  • Vehicle Fuel Available at Big Meadows ONLY!

    Vehicle fuel is only available at Big Meadows (mile 52). Gas service has been discontinued at the Loft and Elkwallow areas.

  • Attention Hikers!

    There has been an outbreak of Norovirus among Appalachian Trail (A.T.) hikers. For information about how to protect yourself click here. More »

Prescribed Burns

Subscribe RSS Icon | What is RSS
Date: February 26, 2007
Contact: Karen Beck-Herzog

Shenandoah National Park Plans Prescribed Burns

Superintendent Chas Cartwright announced that, weather permitting, the National Park Service will initiate several prescribed burns in Shenandoah National Park this year. Due to the uncertainty of the weather, it is not possible to predict the exact dates.

Prescribed fires are fires ignited on purpose by managers under a pre-determined set of conditions, called a prescription, in order to accomplish specific resource management objectives. The prescription includes weather, fuel moisture, and resource availability parameters. The following burns are planned for this year:

  • Big Meadows: Portions of Big Meadows, the open area across from Byrd Visitor Center, are burned each year. In March or April, approximately 35 acres will be burned in the center of the field for the purpose of maintaining the open vista by preventing encroachment by woody species.
  • Blackrock: The Blackrock prescribed burn will encompass 282 acres to encourage Table Mountain Pine regeneration.
  • Pass Mountain Access: The Pass Mountain Access burn of 67 acres is planned to study the effects of low-intensity fire in a mixed oak-hickory community.
  • Vista Maintenance: As part of an ongoing project, the park will use fire to maintain open vistas by preventing encroachment by woody species at many scenic locations along Skyline Drive. Park staff plan to burn three to four visits this year.

All prescribed burns will be interagency projects, with local support, under the guidance and direction of trained and experienced National Park Service personnel.

Did You Know?

Water stands in a pit, called an Opferkessel, in a boulder on Old Rag Mountain.

The small circular pits (Opferkessels) often found in the rocks of Shenandoah National Park’s cliffs and summits are formed by standing water.