Prescribed burn planned at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge on Friday

A prescribed burn is planned for Friday, March 22, at the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, per a recent update from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in North Carolina.

“The burn will set back woody vegetation in 170 acres of marsh, improving wildlife habitat and reducing fuel loads,” stated USFWS in an update. “Drivers on N.C. Highway 12 may see smoke and refuge firefighting vehicles—please drive with caution!”

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 purposes of a late winter or 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. Though a coastal storm is expected to impact the Outer Banks starting Friday night, weather conditions are currently optimal for the operation.