Prescribed burn planned for Cold Harbor area

Richmond National Battlefield Park plans to conduct a prescribed burn during the week of April 15 on about 40 acres of property in the Cold Harbor area in Hanover County, not far from the Henrico-Hanover line.

The burn will help maintain the landscape that existed when opposing armies fought in the area during the summer of 1864. It also will help enhance the park’s wildlife habitat, according to National Park Service officials.

A prescribed burn is conducted every three to five years at the site. This week’s burn will be initiated only if weather conditions are favorable. If wind direction, wind speed, smoke dispersion, and fuel moisture conditions are not met, the burn will be cancelled.

Residents near the area may smell smoke during and shortly after the burn period, but NPS officials said that smoke will disperse quickly. The areas that are burned will temporarily become black but will become green in a few weeks. The park trail will be closed during the burn period to ensure the safety of visitors.

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