Assuming Elon Musk hasn’t fired them all beforehand, the USDA Forest Service will conduct a spring season prescribed burn in Bath County on Tuesday.
It’s a fair question, regarding Musk.
Per a Forest Service press release, prescribed burns are supposed to improve wildlife habitat by restoring open woodlands and grassland conditions on the forest landscape.
The 100-acre Hidden Valley Fields prescribed burn will occur near Warm Springs, with possible smoke impacts to Route 600 and Route 220, and possibly the community of Monterey in Highland County.
There will be no scheduled closures during these burns; however, for the public’s safety, please follow posted signs.
Depending on the wind direction, residents and travelers in these areas may see or smell smoke.
Experienced fire managers (again, assuming Musk hasn’t wielded his chainsaw) will closely monitor local weather conditions, such as wind and humidity, and adjust the schedule as needed to ensure the safety of both crewmembers and residents.
Prior to lighting the burn, crews construct and designate firebreaks to ensure the fire does not leave the burn area.
The burn will mimic historic natural fire as much as possible and will mainly consume brush and dead herbaceous vegetation.
For more information, check out the Forest Service website or Facebook
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Chris Graham
