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Contact: Travis Cott, (479) 451-8122 ext. 1222
Pea Ridge National Military Park Prescribed Burns
Pea Ridge National Military Park will conduct prescribed fire operations between February 11th and March 15th, 2024, subject to weather conditions falling within the parameters of prescribed fire prescriptions. To assure visitor safety, some areas inside the park, including roads and trails, may be closed while fire operations are taking place and for a short period after completion.
“Weather conditions permitting, some fields and portions of forest will be burned,” said Shelley Todd, park superintendent.
The maintenance and restoration of the historic landscape, along with the reduction of available fire fuels and invasive plant species, are the primary reasons for prescribed fire operations.
“Fire is a natural process, and it has been a part of the Arkansas landscape for thousands of years,” said Todd. “Prescribed fire is a way for land managers to utilize fire as a tool in a carefully planned manner, while following very specific weather and personnel guidelines to protect public safety and achieve our resource management objectives.”
Though fire managers make every effort to minimize smoke impacts to surrounding communities, smoke-sensitive individuals may want to avoid outside activities on the day(s) of the operation.
For additional information regarding whether prescribed fire operations will occur on any given day, please call the park’s Visitor Center at (479) 451-8122, visit the park website, or check park social media pages.
Pea Ridge National Military Park preserves and commemorates the March 7-8, 1862, battle that helped Union forces maintain physical and political control of the state of Missouri. Administered by the National Park Service, the 4,300-acre battlefield is located 10 miles north of Rogers, just off US Highway 62.
Last updated: February 6, 2024