Prescribed Burn Planned this Spring

MEDORA, ND ( KXNET ) — Theodore Roosevelt National Park fire crews are planning to conduct prescribed burning operations in the South Unit as early as this weekend, April 6.

Prescribed fires are used to help clear invasive vegetation and promote native prairie restoration. Burns can help prevent the spread of currently burning coal seam fires, reduce fuels and can create a fire break that helps slow or stop a fire.

Park officials notes factors such as humidity, fuel moisture, wind speed and direction, and short and long-range weather patterns are all considered in establishing the acceptable conditions for conducting a prescribed fire. If the prescribed set of conditions cannot be met on a specific day, the planned fire is postponed.

If conditions are met, five units totaling 1,275 acres are planned for the controlled burns. These areas include, Wind Canyon (858 acres), Southwest Floodplain (159 acres), Knutson Creek (183 acres), Radio Tower (69 acres) and Northeast Wild Blackline (6 acres).

Because of the burns, visitors may encounter temporary closures in some areas of the park to ensure visitor and firefighter safety during operations. Visitors are encouraged to check the Theodore Roosevelt National Park website for daily updates on conditions affecting park access.

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