Locher Tract Prescribed Burn on March 4, 2017

[Mike Rieley]

Forest Service
George Washington & Jefferson National Forests 27 Ranger Lane
Natural Bridge Station, VA 24579
(540) 291-2188 www.fs.fed.us/r8/gwj
News Release
Media Contact: Lauren Stull (540) 291-2188
Locher Tract Burn will Promote Wildlife
(3/3/2017) Natural Bridge Station, VA - The George Washington and Jefferson National Forests provide habitat for thousands of species of wildlife and plants across Virginia and West Virginia, including nearly 300 threatened, endangered, sensitive and locally rare wildlife and plants. To help preserve these and other species Forest Service fire specialists are burning 296 acres of the Locher Tract in Rockbridge County, Virginia. Burning will likely occur tomorrow (Saturday, March 4th). We expect smoke to be visible; particularly in nearby locations and residents in Glasgow and Natural Bridge Station may smell smoke. The smoke will most likely settle in lower elevations during the early morning.
The controlled burn will take place in the Arnold’s Valley area adjacent to the James River, approximately one half mile southwest of Glasgow, Virginia and is accessible by James River Road (State Route 782). The Locher Tract Day Use Area, Sawmill Hollow Road (FR# 3110), the Locher Tract Trail and a portion of the Balcony Falls Trail will close temporarily while the burn is taking place.
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Forest Service
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Locher Tract Burn will Promote Wildlife - Page 2
Safety is our primary concern during this controlled burn. The fire experts assigned to this burn are highly trained and have years of experience in protecting surrounding communities, themselves, and the land they are working to restore. Experienced fire specialists will closely monitor local weather conditions, such as wind and humidity, and make adjustments in the schedule as needed to ensure the safety of both crewmembers and local residents. Prior to lighting the burn, crews construct and designate firebreaks to ensure the fire does not leave the burn
area. The burn will mimic historic natural fire as much as possible. The fire will move slowly down the ridges with low flames. Some individual trees will burn, but the fire should travel mostly across the forest floor.
We are rapidly losing young forests, open areas, and critical wildlife habitat due to 100 years of fire suppression and an aging forest. For thousands of years, fire shaped our forests and wildlife and our lands actually need fire to be healthy. Research shows that fire naturally occurred every 3- 15 years in our area. Low intensity prescribed burns create open areas where a diverse mix of grasses, plants, and wildflowers grow and provide valuable food and cover for wildlife. These planned burns help to make the land healthier for people, water, and wildlife, such as bear, deer, turkey, and many migratory birds and many endangered species.
For more information on our controlled burn program, please contact the Glenwood and Pedlar Ranger District at (540) 291-2188.
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Forest Service
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.