~ PVN staff report
LURAY, Nov. 17 — Shenandoah National Park announced Sunday morning that the prescribed burn previously planned for Monday at Big Meadows has been cancelled.
“Weather forecasts are becoming increasingly unfavorable,” Sunday’s SNP announcement stated.
Shenandoah National Park enforced a parkwide fire ban, which prohibits all open-air fires including any type of wood fire, charcoal fires, wood-burning camp stoves, charcoal grills, gas, and propane cooking stoves beginning Sunday, Nov. 16, at 8 a.m. lasting until 8 p.m.
The Weather Service issued Red Flag Warnings and a wind advisory for Luray and areas adjacent to Shenandoah National Park.
Once conditions become more favorable, fire managers at Shenandoah National Park plan to burn approximately 145 acres of Big Meadows. A notice will be posted on the park’s website and social media platforms. Fire managers anticipate one day of operations to complete the project.
A portion of Big Meadows (mile 51 on Skyline Drive), the open area across from Byrd Visitor Center, is burned for the purpose of maintaining the open vista and reducing the potential for wildfire by preventing encroachment from small trees and shrubs and reducing grass and shrub cover.
Prescribed burns are ignited by fire managers under a pre-determined set of conditions, including temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, wind direction, fuel moisture and resource availability. Prescribed burns will be conducted as interagency projects, with local support, under the guidance and direction of trained and experienced National Park Service personnel.
Smoke from the burn may be visible in and around the Big Meadows area. Visitors driving in areas of smoke should take additional care by slowing down and ensuring their headlights are on. All park facilities will remain open during the prescribed burn.
Access to Rapidan Road and areas of Big Meadows east of Rapidan Road will be restricted during the burn. Areas of Big Meadows west of Rapidan Road will be closed during the burn.
For more information about Shenandoah National Park,
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