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N.C. Forest Service will conduct prescribed burn Thursday in Brunswick County
Story Date: 3/8/2012
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Source: NCDA&CS, 3/7/12
The N.C. Forest Service will conduct a prescribed burn of 575 acres Thursday in the Green Swamp along N.C. Highway 211 in Brunswick County.
The burn is part of a long-term project in conjunction with the U.S. Forest Service and The Nature Conservancy.
One of the goals of the prescribed burn is to restore fire-dependant habitat for a rare ecosystem.The area hasn’t burned in almost 40 years, which has prevented native vegetation from growing.
The prescribed burn will also reduce the risk of damaging large-scale wildfires that can occur in natural areas.
Residents who see smoke in the area should not call 911 unless they see flames.
The Green Swamp is one of the largest remaining ecosystems of its kind in the Southeast.It is considered a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service because of the rare plant and animal species found there.
“Prescribed fires are conducted to protect the public and sustain forestlands,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “They are important for managing forests and wildlife habitat, and for reducing the risk of harmful wildfires.”
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