As spring edges closer, fire crews are set to begin prescribed fire operations in the Kentucky District of Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, focusing on the Bald Knob and Newtie King (Bear Creek) Areas. These controlled burns, which aim to rejuvenate the landscape, will cover approximately 1,230 acres across different fields throughout Tennessee and Kentucky. According to an announcement by the National Park Service, these prescribed fires are an integral part of the park's Fire Management Plan, enriching the land's flora and fauna.
There will be temporary closures of certain trails and roads to ensure public safety while the burns occur. Approximately 1,100 acres in the Bald Knob area are scheduled to be burned, necessitating the closure of Water’s Cemetery Road, the Ledbetter Multi-Use Trail, and portions of the Kentucky Trail between Oil Well Branch and Water’s Cemetery Road. Meanwhile, close to 130 acres in the Bear Creek area will also undergo burning, leading to restrictions along parts of Bear Creek Road, the Bear Creek Loop horse trail, the Cotton Patch Loop horse trail, and the Bear Creek Overlook trail.
The public can expect visible smoke during the prescribed fires, although the impact should be minimal, with minor visual effects on nearby roads. Those carrying out the field burning anticipate little disturbance to visitors, with impacts limited mainly to road and trail closures near the operations. The fire crews have prioritized preparing these units to burn safely and effectively, with the prescribed fires set to begin as conditions permit.
Prescribed burns are a crucial element in maintaining the park's ecological balance. These fires are carefully executed within strict parameters, including temperature, relative humidity, fuel moisture, and wind speed. They play a vital role in the natural cycle of the environment by releasing and recycling nutrients tied up in vegetation and soil layers, which in turn support plant and animal health. In their planning, fire management teams take special care to protect regions of historical, cultural, and ecological significance.
