Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield plans prescribed burns of parkland in early December
Sometime within the first few weeks of December, Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield plans to conduct prescribed burns to both provide for safety of surrounding communities and create better soil conditions.
The burn is expected to last multiple days and take place between Dec. 2 and Dec. 19. The exact days are not yet known due to reliance on weather conditions. While the prescribed burn is conducted, some trails, trailheads and areas of the battlefield will be closed. The tour road may be closed but the visitor center and the museum will remain open, according to a National Park Service news release.
Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield plans to conduct a prescribed burn in the park sometime between Dec. 2-19, 2024. The exact dates depend on weather conditions.
Burning of up to 250 acres of grassland and forest is a way to improve safety and to get rid of woody plants and invasive plant species making way for better soil conditions for native seeds. The prescribed burns are also a part of the long-term program aimed at restoring the historic landscape, much of which was an upland savanna at the time of the 1861 battle. According to the release, both historically and naturally, fire played an important role in maintaining that landscape.
If weather conditions do not permit, it is possible that no burns will occur during the planned period, Superintendent Sarah Cunningham said in the release.
Fires are planned around the following areas:
Northwest around the junction of Farm Road 182 and ZZ Highway;
At Stop 2 east of the tour road;
Southwest of Stop 5 of the tour road;
Along the southwest boundary of the park just east of ZZ highway near Terrell Creek.
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While fire managers make every effort to minimize smoke impacts to the surrounding communities, smoke-sensitive individuals should use caution during days of operation as smoke can drift in and around the park lands and roadways.
To check exact days of possible burns or impacts on closures, call the park’s visitor center 417-732-2662/417-732-6596, visit the website at www.nps.gov/wicr or check the Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Facebook page.
Marta Mieze covers local government at the News-Leader. Have feedback, tips or story ideas? Contact her at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Smoke, haze possible from burns at Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield
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