GATLINBURG, Tenn. — UPDATE (3/6): Recent favorable weather conditions have let Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Appalachian Piedmont Coastal Fire Management staff plan upcoming prescribed burns in the Cades Cove area. Burn operations may occur between March 6 and April 1 in several fields of Cades Cove.
A release from GSMNP originally said the prescribed burns were taking place on Feb. 13 to March 3.
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Staff with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park said they are planning to conduct burn operations in around 925 acres of fields in the Cades Cove area starting Feb. 13, according to a release from GSMNP.
They said the burns are expected to start Feb. 13 and last until March 3, weather permitting. They are meant to benefit deer, turkeys, ground-nesting birds and other species. According to the release, they benefit when the plants they use for cover and food are rejuvenated through a seasonally prescribed fire.
They also said the burns take months of planning and coordination, with support from many resources and firefighters located across the U.S.
“We are fortunate to have assistance from Conservation Legacy wildland firefighters for our spring prescribed fires,” said Brian Tonihka, a Fire Management Officer. “Their skilled application of prescribed fire is critical to the health of the natural ecosystem at Cades Cove and the safety of our visitors.”
The burns are expected in the Maple Branch, Tipton Oliver, Sparks, Martha's Branch, Cable House and Cemetery Marsh areas. They said firefighters successfully burned around 250 acres last fall in the Cable House and Sparks areas, targeting woody plant species.
During burn operations, they said Cades Cove Loop Road and historic structures in the area will remain open. However, they said there could be brief delays to ensure safety. They also said Sparks Lane could be closed.
"Visitors should expect to see firefighters and equipment along the loop road, Sparks Lane, and Hyatt Lane. Fire managers ask that motorists reduce speed in work zones, and refrain from stopping in the roadways. If smoke is present, motorists should roll up windows and turn on headlights," they said in the release.
Park managers have conducted prescribed burns for more than 20 years to reduce fuels that could ignite wildfires and to restore meadow habitats. They said park staff will closely monitor weather conditions, including vegetation and soil moisture, as well as wind speed and humidity, to make sure conditions are safe for the burn operations.