News Release

Congaree National Park Conducting Prescribed Burns

Date: April 10, 2025
Contact: Jon Manchester, 803-647-3964

HOPKINS, SC –Park rangers from Congaree National Park, along with staff from other NPS units and partner agencies, are planning to conduct prescribed burns April 14-16, 2025, weather and conditions permitting. The total acreage to be burned is approximately 900 acres with the intended goal for these operations being ground fuel reduction and habitat restoration, in accordance with the park’s fire management plan.
These burns will take place in several established units. Prescribed burns are planned for the following units: Griffin’s Creek, Red Bluff/Dawson’s, and RCW burn units. This will be the first prescribed burn conducted in the Griffin’s Creek burn units since 2008. All identified burn units are located outside of main visitor use areas and fires and are expected to have minimal effects on established hiking or paddling trails and no trail or campground closures are planned.  Fishing access to Dawson’s Lake from South Cedar Creek Road will not be available during burning operations and will reopen when conditions have been deemed safe.
Smoke may be seen for several miles. Property owners, those travelling on nearby roads and users of hunt clubs bordering the burn units should be aware that smoke may drift over nearby roads and reduce visibility. Drivers should use caution as fire crews and equipment may be operating along the park entrance road and other nearby roads.
Further details and updates can be found on the park’s website, www.nps.gov/cong, and on the park’s social media channels.