News Release

Pea Ridge National Military Park Prescribed Fire February 24 and 25, 2024

Date: February 22, 2024
Contact: Travis Cott, [phone] ext. 1222

Pea Ridge National Military Park Announces Prescribed Burns

Pea Ridge National Military Park will conduct prescribed fire operations on Saturday and Sunday, February 24 and 25, 2024, subject to weather conditions falling within the parameters of prescribed fire prescriptions. To assure visitor safety, the horse trail will be closed at dusk on Friday. Some other areas inside the park, including roads and hiking trails, may also 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 to maintain and restore the historic landscape of the battlefield,” said Shelley Todd, park superintendent.

Following very specific weather and personnel guidelines to protect public safety, prescribed fire also reduces wildfire risk and is a tool to help manage invasive plant species.

Though fire managers make every effort to minimize smoke impacts to surronnding 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 [phone], visit the park website, or check the park's 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.