Preparations are underway for Ozark National Scenic Riverways to accomplish several prescribed burns this spring, through mid-April.
The burns will be carefully planned and monitored by the park’s Fire Management staff. The scheduling of these prescribed burns is dependent on weather and vegetation meeting certain conditions. During prescribed burns, park operations will continue as usual, although temporary closure of trails or roads adjacent to the burn unit may be necessary for visitor safety.
Several prescribed burns planned at Ozark Riverways in 2024 will be cooperative efforts between the National Park Service (NPS) and other land management agencies. The Booming Shoals prescribed burn unit (1,095 acres) near Powder Mill and the Alley Spring burn unit (785 acres) west of Eminence will be conducted with Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC). The Pulltite prescribed burn unit (580 acres) near Pulltite Campground will be conducted jointly by the NPS, MDC, and The Nature Conservancy. The Welch Lodge prescribed burn unit (694 acres) in northern Shannon County includes lands managed by the L-A-D Foundation and Pioneer Forest. The Big Tree/Kelley prescribed burn unit (386 acres) near the end of Z Highway south of Big Spring will be managed by NPS firefighters.
In order to ensure the safety of firefighters and the public, foot and vehicle travel in or near the prescribed fire operations may be temporarily restricted. Firefighters plan to conduct prescribed burns during weather conditions that will allow for smoke to disperse without causing negative impacts. However, smoke may impair visibility in the vicinity of the prescribed burn and could linger low in the atmosphere over a broad geographic area. Individuals with respiratory ailments are encouraged to take extra precautions to avoid exposure to smoke. Anyone who is concerned about the potential impacts of smoke from a prescribed burn can request to be added to the park’s notification list in order to be contacted in advance.
Prescribed burning has a variety of purposes, including the reduction of fuel accumulations near developed areas, which helps reduce the threat of unplanned wildland fires in and around Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Prescribed fire benefits native plants and wildlife benefit from the use of fire to maintain or improve the habitat they depend on. Native habitats such as glades, savannas, and woodlands can suffer from woody overgrowth in the absence of fire.
For more information about prescribed burns at Ozark Riverways or to be included on the park’s notification list, contact Josh Chilton at 573-226-3945 or josh_chilton@nps.gov. If you would like to receive additional information about other prescribed burns in the local area, please contact Missouri Department of Conservation at 573-226-3616 or the U.S. Forest Service at 573-364-4621. All are encouraged to visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/ozar or its Facebook page @Ozarkriverways for further updates.
