Village Conducting Prescribed Burn at Rassie Wicker Park

The village of Pinehurst is conducting a prescribed burn Monday in the Arboretum at Rassie Wicker Park.

The area of the burn is between McCaskill Road, Graham Road and Rassie Wicker Drive.

Fire is an important part of the Longleaf Pine ecosystem, and prescribed burns are a safe way of introducing fire back into the Longleaf Pine forests to aid in seed dispersal, increase soil nutrients, and reduce competition from faster growing tree species, a village news release said.

Prescribed burns are also done to prevent the buildup of vegetative fuels in forests. Reducing excess vegetation (fuel) can decrease the damage that could occur should there be a wildfire. Prescribed burns are conducted by professionals who must submit a burn plan that includes fire and smoke control to the N.C. Division of Forest Resources.

The prescribed burn had been scheduled to take place sometime in February, March or April, but because burns are done when weather conditions are optimal to minimize the effects of smoke and achieve the desired effect of the burn, a specific time could not be announced in advance. Conditions for the burn were determined to be optimal Monday, and it will proceed according to the plan.http://www.thepilot.com/news/village-conducting-prescribed-burn-at-rassie-wicker-park/article_6fbf32b2-e493-11e5-8baf-1bb9e756750a.html