Sometime during the first few weeks of December, Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield plans to conduct prescribed burns to both provide protection for surrounding communities and create better soil.
The heat is expected to last for several days and will take place between December 2 and December 19. The exact dates are not yet known due to weather conditions. While prescribed burning is done, some roads, tracks and areas of the battlefield will be closed. The tour road may be closed but the visitor center and museum will remain open, according to a National Park Service news release.
Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield plans to conduct a prescribed burn in the park sometime between Dec. 2-19, 2024. Exact dates subject to weather conditions.
Burning up to 250 acres of grassland and forest is a way to improve security and remove trees and invasive plant species, making way for better soil conditions for local seeds. The burning was also part of a long-term plan aimed at restoring the historic landscape, much of which was upland savanna during the war of 1861. According to the release, both historically and naturally, fire played an important role in preserving the area.
If the weather does not permit, it is possible that no heat will occur during the scheduled time, Superintendent Sarah Cunningham said in the release.
Fires are planned in the following areas:
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Southwest around the intersection of Farm Road 182 and ZZ Highway;
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At Stop 2 on the east side of the tour route;
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Southwest of Stop 5 of the tour route;
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The center of the southwest border of the park is east of the ZZ highway near Terrell Creek.
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While fire managers do their best to minimize the impact of smoke on surrounding communities, people who are sensitive to smoke should be careful on work days as smoke can drift into and around park areas and streets.
To check specific burn dates or closures, call the park’s visitor center at 417-732-2662/417-732-6596, visit the website at www.nps.gov/wicr or check the Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Facebook page.
Marta Mieze covers local government for News-President. Do you have feedback, suggestions or ideas for a story? Contact him at mmieze@news-leader.com.
This article originally appeared on the Springfield News-Leader: Smoke, haze from burning at Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield.