Prescribed Burns Planned this Spring at Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Contact: Peelee Clark, 701-623-4466

Theodore Roosevelt fire crews are planning to conduct prescribed burning operations in the South and North Unit, March 30 through the middle of June.

Prescribed fires help clear invasive vegetation and promote native prairie restoration. Burns can help prevent the spread of currently burning coal seam fires, reduce fuels, and create a fule break that helps slow or stop a fire.

Prescribed fires are carefully conducted under identified and approved prescription conditions. Factors such as humidity, fuel moisture, wind speed and direction, and short and long-range weather patterns are all considered in establishing the acceptable conditions for conducting a prescribed fire. If the prescribed set of conditions cannot be met on a specific day, the planned fire is postponed.

If conditions allow, 7 prescribed burns are planned - two in the North Unit (4,258 acres) and five in the South Unit (2,228 acres), totaling 6,486 acres.

As prescribed fire operations are implemented, some visitor impacts are anticipated. Temporary closures are expected to ensure visitor and firefighter safety during operations. The public will be advised of specific area closures by web alerts and posting signs in appropriate areas. Visitors are encouraged to check the website daily to ensure roads, trails and access areas are open to the public.

For more information about Theodore Roosevelt National Park visit www.nps.gov/thro