From NCDP&R

 

The N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation will conduct a prescribed burn at Goose Creek State Park during the next several months when conditions are suitable, according to park Superintendent John Fullwood.

The burn will be conducted in cooperation with the N.C. Forest Service. Tentatively, the burn will start this week and continue for several months until the prescription burn objectives are met. If weather parameters do not meet the requirements of the prescription burns, the park plans to burn the next available day that weather permits. The public will not be allowed to enter the burn areas during the burn event.

Prescribed burns are used as a resource management tool by the state parks system. Some plant communities and animal species rely on periodic fire for their existence. The prescribed burn will also reduce the amount of potential wildfire fuel. The prescribed burn will help protect the park’s resources and neighboring landowners if lightning, arson or carelessness sparks a wildfire.

In order to minimize smoke and assure the fire is controlled, the low-intensity, prescribed burn will only be carried out under strictly defined weather conditions of a fire management plan. On the selected day, the burn will begin in the late morning and will likely end by mid-afternoon.

On the day when the fire is to begin, an alert will be posted on the Goose Creek State Park page of the division’s website, www.ncparks.gov. Signs alerting people that a burn is in progress will also be posted on Camp Leach Road.

For further information, call the park office at 252-923-2191.