Superintendent Joe Escoto announced today that Padre Island National Seashore has tentatively scheduled a prescribed burn for Thursday, June 19, 2008, weather permitting. The park will burn approximately 1,140 acres of coastal grassland prairie near Park Headquarters, between Park Road 22 and the Gulf of Mexico shoreline.
Prescribed fires are carefully conducted under identified and approved prescription conditions. Wind, temperature, relative humidity, and atmospheric pressure will be monitored to ensure safe and effective prescribed fire operations. The burn will be closely coordinated with weather forecasters and air quality managers.
The primary objective of the burn is to reduce the build-up of hazardous vegetation that can lead to intense wildfires. The burn will also help meet natural resource objectives including recycling nutrients and increasing habitat diversity. Firefighters and public safety is always a priority.
The MalaquiteVisitorCenter, BirdIslandBasin, and GulfBeaches will remain open. The Entrance Station and Malaquite Campground may experience temporary closures due to smoke. Visitors traveling to BirdIslandBasin and on Park Road 22 should anticipate smoke in the area and may experience temporary traffic delays while traveling in the park. Visitors are asked to drive slow, turn their headlights on, and watch for traffic control and fire personnel working in the area. Smoke columns may be visible from Corpus Christi, Texas.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
