CEDAR MOUNTAIN, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The N.C. Forest Service plans to conduct a prescribed burn Thursday at DuPont State Recreational Forest, weather permitting.
The burn is scheduled for areas around Ruffed Grouse Trail, Hooker Creek Trail and Buck Forest Road, officials said.
Forest visitors are urged to use alternate trails during the operation. Smoke may be visible and detectable in and around the forest on the day of the burn and for several days after.
Prescribed fire is the carefully planned use of fire under specific weather and fuel conditions to meet land management goals. State forestry officials say the practice is one of the most effective and cost-efficient tools for maintaining healthy forests.
In addition to improving forest health and wildlife habitat, prescribed burns reduce the buildup of vegetation that can fuel wildfires, lowering the risk of more severe fires in the future.
Elsewhere in the forest, officials are implementing some parking/access area closures because of needed parking lot maintenance and work. Visitors are asked to plan accordingly.
- The Fawn Lake parking area/access will be fully closed to the public Monday, March 9 to Friday, March 13.
- The High Falls parking/access area will be fully closed to the public Monday, March 23 to Friday, March 27.
- The Hooker Falls parking/access area will undergo planned parking lot maintenance Monday, April 6 to Friday, April 10.
During this planned closure, visitors can access Hooker Falls via the Lake Imaging Access Area. Use Holly Road to reach Hooker Falls Trail.
Visitors are asked to also note that during this planned closure, the public restrooms will remain open.