Prescribed burn at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge scheduled for Sunday
Weather permitting, a prescribed burn is planned for Sunday, March 9, at the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, according to a recent update from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in North Carolina.
The North Pond Wildlife, Salt Flats, and North Pond Levee Trails will all be closed to the public during the burn to protect public safety, and smoke will likely be visible throughout northern Hatteras Island, including the villages of Rodanthe, Waves, and Salvo.
Though the burn should not affect traffic, travelers should stay vigilant when driving through Pea Island, and should watch for possible light smoke along the highway.
Prescribed burns within the refuges serve multiple purposes, depending on the time of year. Generally occurring in the spring and fall, the burns can enhance protection against wildfires, control vegetation, and create more desirable habitats for migratory birds.
One of the main purposes of a springtime burn is to create a “safe zone” so that if a wildfire occurs and moves south, there is a break in the landscape that will give firefighters time to stop the wildfire before it impacts residences and structures in northern Hatteras Island villages.
The spring is also an ideal time to do the prescribed burns, as the northeastern wind direction ensures that the fire and smoke generally stays off of the highway. With light northeast winds forecast for Sunday, the conditions are currently optimal for the operation.
