News Release

Shenandoah National Park plans prescribed burns

Firefighters in Big Meadows during a prescribed burn in 2024

News Release Date: March 6, 2025
Contact: Allysah Fox, 540-999-3500 x3487

LURAY, VA – Fire managers at Shenandoah National Park plan to burn approximately 40 acres of Big Meadows and approximately 20 acres in the park’s headquarters between March 11 and April 30, 2025, weather permitting. A notice will be posted on the park’s website and social media platforms when dates for each prescribed burn are finalized. Fire managers anticipate one day of operations to complete the Big Meadows project and multiple days to complete the headquarters project.

A portion of Big Meadows (mile 51 on Skyline Drive), the open area across from Byrd Visitor Center, is burned each year for the purpose of maintaining the open vista and reducing the potential for wildfire by preventing encroachment from small trees and shrubs and reducing grass and shrub cover.

Areas of the park’s headquarters in Luray, Va, are treated each year to reduce the buildup of dead and down woody fuels that contribute to wildfire spread.

Prescribed burns are ignited by fire managers under a pre-determined set of conditions, including temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, wind direction, fuel moisture and resource availability. Prescribed burns will be conducted as interagency projects, with local support, under the guidance and direction of trained and experienced National Park Service personnel.

Smoke from the burn may be visible in and around the Big Meadows and headquarters areas. Visitors driving in areas of smoke should take additional care by slowing down and ensuring their headlights are on. All park facilities will remain open during the prescribed burn.

Access to Big Meadows will be restricted during the burn. Access to headquarters will be limited to employees and business operations during the burn.

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