Buffalo National River Conducts 2019 Wilderness Prescribed Fire

A firefighter at Buffalo National River conducts ignites the March 2019 prescribed burn.

NPS/T FONDRIEST

In February and March 2019, crews from Buffalo National River and surrounding area conducted a prescribed fire in the Lower Buffalo Wilderness area. The park treated approximately 12,000 acres of forest, glades and woodlands with a low intensity broadcast burn to restore fire-dependent glade habitats, promote the growth of fire dependent species, and help reduce hazardous fuels. These objectives meet the intent of the Buffalo River Fire Management Plan, the Lower Buffalo Wilderness prescribed fire plan, and of local, county and state community protection plans.

Glades are historically occurring open habitat types within the Lower Buffalo Wilderness and other areas of the Ozarks. Many native grasses, wildflowers and forbs depend upon the open nature of glade habitats for survival. However, the lack of fire in these areas has reduced these plants’ ability to thrive. Without periodic fire, the glades of the Lower Buffalo Wilderness will continue to decline, resulting in a loss of species richness and diversity.

Hazardous fuels had also accumulated in the project area near park infrastructure and along the park boundary. These areas include frequently used trails, radio towers, cultural sites and trailheads. Several private residences adjacent to the park boundary need fuels reduction to reduce the likelihood of wildfire impacts.

Over several days of favorable weather conditions, firefighters hiked the ridges and trails of the Lower Buffalo Wilderness, applying fire by hand into select areas of the project. Many sensitive sites were prepared beforehand to protect cultural and natural resources. Fire effects monitors watched the fire closely to ensure that objectives were being met and the weather parameters stayed within prescription.

A project such as the Lower Buffalo Wilderness requires careful planning, preparation, and coordination with all affected agencies, partners, and the local community. Resources from all areas of the park worked together to make the project a success, including terrestrial and aquatic biologists, park rangers, interpreters, and firefighters. Park managers implemented a full wilderness closure prior to and during the burn, which required ongoing communication to the public, physical trail closures, maps of the affected areas, and enforcement actions.

Much of the unique character of the Lower Buffalo Wilderness is a result of fire dependent plant communities and related ecosystems. The project benefitted the fire dependent natural resources of the area. At the same time, it reduced the chances of a higher severity wildfire that could damage sensitive resources and threaten the local community. Funding for this project originated with congressional Fuels appropriations distributed to local parks by the NPS Midwest Regional Office.