The Village of Pinehurst has scheduled a prescribed burn to take place during February or March 2019 in the Arboretum at Rassie Wicker Park. The burn will take place in the savanna, located between McCaskill Road, Graham Road, and Rassie Wicker Drive. This will be the fourth prescribed burn conducted at Rassie Wicker Park since 2010 as part of the Longleaf Forest Management Plan.
Fire is an important part of the Longleaf Pine ecosystem and prescribed burns are a safe way of introducing fire back into the Longleaf Pine forests to aid in seed dispersal, increase soil nutrients, and reduce competition from faster growing tree species. Prescribed burns are also done to prevent the buildup of vegetative fuels in forests. Reducing excess vegetation (fuel) decreases the damage that could result if a wildfire occurred. Prescribed burns also control the infestation of ticks that carry diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease.
Prescribed burns are conducted by professionals who must submit a burn plan, including fire and smoke control, to the Division of Forest Resources. Burns are done when weather conditions are optimal to minimize the effects of smoke and achieve the desired results of the burn. As a result, a specific day for the burn cannot be determined at this time, but residents will be notified when the burn is imminent.
For questions, contact Buildings & Grounds Superintendent Kevin Brewer at 910-295-8657 or [email protected].
Contributed. Photo via Village of Pinehurst.
