Buffalo National River Conducts Prescribed Fire in Wilderness

In addition to many other purposes, the prescribed fire also benefited landowners and communities along the park boundary by reducing the buildup of vegetation near homes and structures.

On March 6, 2013, Buffalo National River conducted a prescribed fire inside the Lower Buffalo Wilderness. The 11,284-acre Lower Buffalo Wilderness prescribed fire unit is located in southeast Marion County, approximately seven miles southeast of Flippin, Arkansas.

The prescribed burn was conducted to reduce the hazardous fuel loads that could possibly lead to catastrophic wildfires, promote the restoration of post oak savannas and cedar glades areas, lower the risk potential of various forest diseases, and improve wildlife habitat. Prescribed fire helps to control invasive vegetation and opens the tree canopy to allow sunlight to reach native plants on the ground. Hundreds of native wildflower and grass species in the Lower Buffalo Wilderness benefit from prescribed fire, including several listed as imperiled in Arkansas, such as the purple beardtongue, silky aster, fringed puccoon, and fall glade onion. The National Park Service's prescribed fire also benefited landowners and communities along the park boundary by reducing the buildup of vegetation near homes and structures.

Some of the birds that benefited from the prescribed fire include: prairie warbler, painted bunting, wild turkey, ruby-throated hummingbird, great-crested flycatcher, yellow-throated vireo, pine warbler, indigo bunting, Eastern bluebird, summer tanager, greater roadrunner, cedar waxwing, blue-gray gnatcatcher, Eastern wood peewee, yellow-breasted chat, white-eyed vireo, red-headed woodpecker, Eastern towhee, field sparrow, Cooper's hawk, chipping sparrow, brown thrasher, Northern flicker, and common yellowthroat. The species listed in bold are declining nationally, but benefitted from the prescribed burn.

Several bat species, including declining bat species, show a preference to forage in places that have been burned the previous dormant season. Collared lizards, prairie racerunner lizards, and most native land reptiles benefit from prescribed burns as well.

Firefighters monitor the prescribed fire that was conducted in the Lower Buffalo Wilderness Area.

Sheila Doughty/Arkansas Forestry Commission

The prescribed burn was estimated to take 15 days to complete, but efficient planning and favorable weather conditions caused the burn to meet operational and management objectives within 5 days.

Cooperating partners for the prescribed burn included Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, US Forest Service, Arkansas Forestry Commission, and Rea Valley Volunteer Fire Department.

Initial reviews by fire management officials report that the Lower Wilderness prescribed burn was a success. The burn accomplished the reduction of hazardous fuel loads, promoted the restoration of post oak savannas and cedar glade areas, improved conditions for stands of native grasses, and improved that habitat for all animals. The area will be monitored periodically by a fire effects crew to determine the effects of the burn.

The Lower Buffalo Wilderness will be open and available for visitors. Visitors are encouraged to use caution and common sense in the area. Some trails may have become blocked by trees.

Contact: Keith A. Jefferson, fire public information officer
Email: e-mail us
Phone: [phone]