DOI Region 1, National Capital Area Utilizes Prescribed Fire as a Management Tool

Deep Cut prescribed fire at Manassas National Battlefield Park.

NPS/J MARTZ

Resource and facility managers in the National Capital Area (NCA) are relying more frequently on prescribed burning as a tool to protect, restore, enhance and maintain historic Civil War sites. Battlefields in Maryland and Virginia are located close to population centers and are perfect habitat for declining wildlife species. By reducing accumulations of natural cover fuels, adjacent woodland communities are protected, thus lessening the potential for a catastrophic wildfire to impact national park neighbors.

Otto Farm prescribed fire at Antietam National Battlefield.

NPS/J Martz

NCA superintendents are enthusiastic about the use of prescribed fire as a tool. They have seen positive outcomes for both natural and cultural resources, while also reducing overall maintenance costs.

These projects also serve to strengthen the cooperative relationships between federal, state, and local partners. It is an opportunity to work together under planned conditions so in times of emergency, mutual aid can be provided and relationships have previously been built.

Deep Cut prescribed fire at Manassas National Battlefield Park.

NPS/J Martz

Prescribed fire is utilized at Antietam National Battlefield, Manassas National Battlefield Park, Monocacy National Battlefield, Catoctin Mountain Park, and Wolf Trap Park for the Performing Arts. Several more NCA parks are in the planning and compliance phases and will be implementing prescribed burn projects in the near future.