St. Marys, GA - Fire Management personnel have been monitoring weather conditions and are looking to conduct a prescribed burn on February 4-5, 2021. Timing of the burn could change depending on fuel and weather conditions. This prescribed burn will be conducted around the Stafford campground and will encompass 425 acres within the following burn units: Stafford Field, Stafford East, Stafford Plantation, Parallel North, and Parallel South.
What to Expect:
- Stafford Campground will remain open. The only access to the campground will be via the Stafford beach trail access.
- Parallel trail will be closed between Hickory Hill Campground and Little Greyfield Crossing as well as the entire Pratt’s Trail.
- Road guards will be posted on the main road to monitor traffic flow and ensure visitor safety. Expect delays along the main road if traveling between Pratt’s Trail and the Stafford field area.
- Visitors can utilize the main road (with potential delays) and beach to move about the island.
- Expect to see and smell smoke in the areas surrounding the Stafford area.
- Visitors should expect to see fire personnel in the vicinity during the prescribed burn as well as several days after.
- The Parallel Trail between Little Greyfield beach crossing and Hickory Hill Campground will remain closed until Fire personnel deem trails safe for visitors.
For your safety please follow all posted signs and stay on marked trails and roadways.
Stafford Beach campers with concerns on how the prescribed burn may affect their reservation should call the park office at (912) 882 - 4336 ext 254.
The prescribed fire will reduce hazardous fuels in an effort to lessen the potential for wildfires to impact the residential population, campgrounds, and cultural resources of the island. These fires will stimulate and promote the growth of grasses in island fields and will help maintain cultural landscapes that are currently experiencing encroaching woody species. These fires will also open up and improve the habitat for gopher tortoises.
For more information, visit the park’s Wildland Fire page: https://www.nps.gov/cuis/learn/nature/wildlandfire.htm
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
