The staff at Stones River National Battlefield plans to burn a number of areas totaling about 100 acres before the end of March, 2011. These prescribed burns are a part of the park's Fire Management Plan, which was developed with public and professional participation in 2003 and updated in 2009. The areas to be burned include Redoubt Brannan on West College Street, and a number of sites along Thompson Lane on the main battlefield at 3501 Old Nashville Highway.
The goals of the burns are to promote the growth of native species including grasses that stabilize the earthen fort and dominate fields on the main battlefield and the McFadden Farm site. Fire will also recycle nutrients into the soil and help control some invasive plants. The burns will be conducted only if the weather conditions fall within a narrow range that provides for the greatest safety and best smoke management. Three days of dry weather are needed for the fuels to be dry enough to burn. Specially trained wildland firefighters from the
Natchez Trace Parkway
and Stones River National Battlefield will manage the prescribed burns. Some areas of the park may be closed at times during the day and a half needed to complete the work. The visitor center will remain open regular hours of 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. daily.
Local news media will be notified as soon as the days and times for the burns are determined.
For more information call Gib Backlund, at 615-893-9501 during business hours Monday through Friday.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
