Monday, Jul 9, 2007
Big Bend National Park plans to start prescribed fire operations the week of July 9, 2007, if environmental factors such as wind, temperature, relative humidity, and fuel moisture levels are favorable. The area to be burned includes two plots, for a total of 30 acres in the Rio Grande Village (RGV) developed area, on either side of the campground. The prescribed fire is planned to last up to three days, including initial preparations, the actual burn and clean-up activities.
The burn’s objectives are to remove the canopy of exotic plants (tamarisk) along this stretch of river, to begin restoration of wetlands, and to retain native vegetation such as cottonwoods and willows. In addition, prescribed fire is expected to be one of the most effective tools available to resource managers for restoring and maintaining flood dependent ecosystems.
Prescribed fires are based on burn plans that must be approved by the park Superintendent before any of the recommended actions are implemented. Park fire managers plan the prescribed burns in consultation with resource managers, and all prescribed fires are managed with firefighter and public safety as the first priority.
Thorough planning is used to minimize smoke and visitor closures; however, it is impossible to predict weather patterns and smoke behavior with complete accuracy. Smoke impacts or delays may be possible along the adjacent trails. Road, campground and trail closures will include several, but not all, regular RGV campground roads and campsites, all of the RGV group campground, RGV Nature Trail and RGV River access. These closures will be kept to the shortest timeframe possible, and are expected to last at least during the one day of fire ignition.
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