U.S. Forest Service Prescribed Burn of Big Green

The U.S. Forest Service has been planning to conduct a series of prescribed burns this fall throughout the Nantahala Ranger District. Panthertown is part of the Nantahala National Forest. Read the USFS Decision Memo – Big Green Mountain Prescribed Burn Unit for specifics on how this effects Panthertown. According to the Forest Service, they will conduct these understory burns to reduce hazardous fuel and restore conditions in the forest. They go on to describe prescribed fire as a method to promote forest health and wildlife habitat. Public safety is their highest priority during a prescribed burn. The dates for each burn are announced as they are decided, often the same day, and weather permitting.

Yesterday, on Monday November 10, 2014, with ideal weather conditions for their work, the U.S. Forest Service Nantahala fire management team performed their first controlled burn in Panthertown Valley: 497 acres on Big Green mountain. Today, the U.S. Forest Service plans to apply similar controlled fire treatments to 240 acres on Awl Knob in Bonas Defeat (northern part of Panthertown) and 842 acres on Moses Creek area (684 acres on Coward Bald, 158 acres on Moses Creek). Heavy smoke is expected.

For more information on the prescribed burns conducted in Nantahala National Forest contact Fire Management Officer Greg Brooks at the Nantahala Ranger District office at (828) 524-6441 ext. 418 or gbrooks01@fs.fed.us

U.S. Forest Service Links:

Prescribed Burns Planned for Nantahala Ranger District
USFS Press Release – October 29, 2014

USFS: Prescribed Burning Season to Begin
USFS Press Release – October 1, 2014

Restoring Fire to the Mountains
USFS Website

Decision Memo: Big Green Mountain Prescribed Burn Unit
USFS Decision Memo – April 2014

Other Background Info:

Friends of Panthertown comments on U.S. Forest Service prescribed burning in Panthertown Valley
Friends of Panthertown – October 1, 2012

Prescribed Fire Information
Friends of Panthertown – September 20, 2012

Forest Service Ignites Firestorm Over Proposed Burn
Smoky Mountain News – September 19, 2012

More Info About USFS Prescribed Burn Scoping Proposal
Friends of Panthertown – September 19, 2012

Public Meeting to Discuss Proposed Panthertown Burn
Friends of Panthertown – September 10, 2012

Nantahala National Forest – Future Prescribed Burns
Friends of Panthertown – September 6, 2012

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