Prescribed Fire Planned at Stones River National Battlefield
The staff at Stones River National Battlefield plans to burn about 27 acres of fields and approximately 48 acres of forested area between February 14 and February 18, 2022. These prescribed burns are a part of the park’s Fire Management Plan. The areas to be burned include Fortress Rosecrans, Redoubt Brannan and the western edge of the Nashville Pike Unit.
The goals of the burns are to promote the growth of native species. Fire will also recycle nutrients into the soil and help control invasive plants. The burns will be conducted only if weather conditions fall within a narrow range that provides for the greatest safety and best smoke management. The exact dates and times for burning operations will be determined based on forecasted weather conditions meeting the prescription.
Specially trained wildland firefighters from the Mississippi River Fire Management Zone and Stones River National Battlefield will manage the prescribed burns. The parking lots and trails at Fortress Rosecrans and Redoubt Brannan will be closed during burning operations. The Boundary Trail in the Nashville Pike Unit will be closed all day of the date of burning operations.
Local news media and emergency services will be notified as soon as the date and times for the burns are confirmed. The park will also post announcements on its website and Facebook page.
For more information, call Chief Ranger Jim Lewis or Facilities and Natural Resources Manager Randy Anderson at 615-893-9501 during business hours Monday through Friday.
