News Release

Pea Ridge National Military Park Announces Prescribed Burns

Image of smoke from a prescribed fire taking place near the battlefield.

NPS

News Release Date: February 19, 2026

Contact: Travis Cott, [phone]

Pea Ridge National Military Park will conduct prescribed fire operations Friday through Sunday, February 20 to 22, 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, up to 450 acres of fields and forest will be burned to maintain and restore the historic landscape of the battlefield area,” said Shelley Todd, park superintendent. The reduction of available fire fuels and invasive plant species are additional goals of the prescribed fire operation.

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 on whether prescribed fire operations will occur on any given day, please call the park’s Visitor Center at [phone].

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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 4,440-acre battlefield is located 10 miles north of Rogers, just off US Highway 62.