Great Smoky Mountains Natl. Park — The National Park Service is hoping weather conditions in the coming weeks will allow officials to burn approximately 1,200 acres at Cades Cove.
These seasonal prescribed fires help to safely reduce fuels, restore meadow habitats and maintain the historic landscape of Cades Cove, the NPS said.
Before the burns take place, park staff closely monitor fire weather conditions to make sure they meet burn plan objectives.
Rain in East Tennessee over the next few weeks will improve the opportunity for a burn window. If conditions aren't met, officials will continue to monitor conditions to identify another burn window this fall or winter.
Hyatt Lane and the road to Primitive Baptist Church will be closed during prescribed burns.
Officials specifically plan to burn the following places: Cemetery Marsh (291 acres), Increase Fields (272 acres), Martha’s Branch, (17 acres), Methodist (85 acres), Old Field (85 acres), Primitive Baptist (338 acres) and Upper Tater (31 acres).
Visitors should expect to see firefighters and equipment along Sparks Lane and Cades Cove Loop Road. The road and historic structures will remain open for visitors, but brief delays and temporary closures may happen to ensure public safety.
Visitors may also see fire activity and smoke during a prescribed burn. Fire managers ask that motorists reduce speed in work zones but refrain from stopping in the roadways. If smoke is present, motorists should roll up windows and turn on headlights.
"Over the last 20 years, park managers have conducted burns during the spring and fall under specific prescription parameters in Cades Cove. These burns have helped us to prevent encroachment of woody plant species and to preserve native herbaceous species that provide high-quality cover and foraging opportunities for a diversity of wildlife including deer, turkeys and ground-nesting birds," the NPS said, "Without the use of prescribed fire in Cades Cove, the cove would experience natural succession to forest."
Officials were not able to complete all planned burns in Cades Cove last year due to weather conditions.