According to a press release from the U.S. National Park Service, staff at the Stones River Battlefield plan to burn lands totaling about 230 acres beginning next week.
“These prescribed burns are part of the park’s Fire Management Plan,” the release stated.
AFFECTED AREAS
The areas to be burned include Redoubt Brannan on West College Street and parts of the McFadden Farm, as well as sites on the main battlefield adjoining Thompson Lane, Wilkinson Pike, NW Broad Street, and Old Nashville Highway.
PURPOSE
“The goal of the burns is to promote growth of native species, including grasses that stabilize the historic earthen fortifications and dominate fields on the main battlefield and the McFadden Farm site. Fire will also recycle nutrients into the soil and help control invasive plants,” said the release.
Officials from the park service say that specially trained wildland firefighters from the Natchez Trace Parkway and Stones River National Battlefield will manage these prescribed burns.
Tentatively, the burns will take place March 10-14, weather permitting. Some areas of the park may be closed during the times needed to complete the burns; however, the visitor center will remain open during regular business hours (8:00 am to 5:00 pm daily).