Forest service plans prescribed burns in Alleghany County

COVINGTON — U.S. Forest Service officials plan to ignite two prescribed burns in Alleghany County during November or December. The exact date of the prescribed burns depends on weather and fuel conditions. When the date is known, the forest service will notify the public.

The 90-acre Morris Hill Recreation Area and the 30-acre Coles Point Recreation Area prescribed burns are on the east side of Lake Moomaw about 10 miles north of Covington. The burns will be ignited by hand using drip torches.

James River district ranger Gerry Jackson explained, "Natural fuels can build up on the forest floor to such an extent that there is a high danger of uncontrollable wild fire. A prescribed fire will allow us to burn those fuels when weather conditions are just right, with professional fire fighters present. This will reduce the fire hazard in these recreation areas for several years."

Without fire, many ecosystems become stagnant and lose their biological diversity.

For questions about the use of fire on the James River Ranger District or to be called prior to ignition of the burn, contact the district ranger at (540) 962-2214.