News Release

Kings Mountain NMP to Conduct Series of Prescribed Burns through May 2021

Date: February 9, 2021
Contact: Diana Bramble, 864-461-2828

Kings Mountain National Military Park News Release
Release Date: February 9, 2021
Contact: Diana Bramble, e-mail us, 864-461-2828

Wildland Fire Crews Conducting Prescribed Burns

Blacksburg, SC – Kings Mountain National Military Park will be conducting a series of prescribed burns within the park boundaries through the end of May 2021.Locations to be burned are as follows:

• Battlefield burn unit – 175 acre area that is located north of the main park drive and includes the area around the visitor center. Prescribed burns will be performed in multiple sections throughout the inner loop of the battlefield trail, and the outer loop of the trail.
• Piedmont burn unit – 144 acre area that is located south of the main park drive and the battlefield. The unit is flanked by the horse trail on the eastern boundary, main park drive on the northern boundary, whitworth fire road on the western boundary, and the boundary shared with Kings Mountain State Park to the south.

Wildland fire crews are working to prepare these units for safe and effective prescribed burns, which are conducted in accordance with the approved fire management plan and as weather conditions allow throughout the spring season. Surrounding communities may expect minimal smoke and visibility impacts during the burns. Some access to trails and grounds within the burn areas may be temporarily restricted during burn activities for visitor and wildland fire crew safety.

The timing of the prescribed burn implementation is dependent upon a variety of conditions as burns are conducted within specific parameters that take into account temperature, relative humidity, fuel moisture, wind speed, and wind direction.

Fire is an essential and natural process that has shaped the landscape of Kings Mountain National Military Park for thousands of years. Prescribed burns are conducted at the park to reduce the risk of wildland fire, and to restore native vegetation and historic landscapes. All areas of historic, cultural, and ecological importance are identified and protected throughout the planning and implementation of prescribed burns.