News

Burn planned for Holmes Educational State Forest

By Lightning Reports, Published: March 7, 2024

The North Carolina Forest Service is planning to conduct a prescribed burn in Holmes Educational State Forest on Crab Creek Road during the week of March 11.

The burn will be conducted as weather and conditions permit, according to a press release from the forest service.
Visitors to the forest may see and smell smoke during and after the prescribed burn operation. While the forest will remain open to the public during the prescribed burn, forest areas and trails near the burn areas may be closed, according to the press release.
Prescribed fire is the carefully planned use of fire under strict, predetermined weather and fuel parameters to obtain specific management objectives. The tool remains one of the most efficient and cost-effective forest management practices, helping North Carolina forests remain healthy and thrive, according to the forest service.
The goal of the prescribed fire is to benefit the forest environment by improving wildlife habitat and the overall health of the forest while reducing vegetative fuels.
For more information about closures, contact the Holmes Educational State Forest office at 828-692-0100. To learn more about the benefits of prescribed fire, visit www.ncforestservice.gov/goodfire.