The City of Wilmington is planning to undertake a prescribed (or “controlled”) burn at Halyburton Park in early 2009.
With a prescribed burn, fire is reintroduced to a fire dependant ecosystem through prescribed burns..Prescribed burns take place in January or February 2009 when weather conditions are favorable and park visitation is at its lowest. Under typical weather patterns conditions would only be favorable for a prescribed burn 4-5 days during the 60 day period.
Approximately 30 acres of the park would be divided into small 1-acre burn units. Approximately 13 acres would be burned initially.
The benefits of prescribed burns include:
- Fuel loads will be reduced minimizing the risk of wildfires.
- Long Leaf Pines and Wire Grass will regenerate naturally.
- Turkey Oaks will be reduced and growth stunted.
- Provides an educational opportunity on fire dependant ecosystems.
- A natural element of the ecosystem is restored
Under ideal weather conditions, the smoke from the prescribed burn will lift and will not affect surrounding neighborhoods. It is possible however that some smoke from burning vegetation will reach some of the residential areas near the park.
The prescribed burn would be completed by the N.C. Division of Forestry fire crew and the City of Fire Department under the parameters and conditions set forth by the prescribed burn plan.
Public Information Meeting re: Prescribed Burn at Halyburton Park
(Halyburton Park, 4099 S. 17th Street)
December 1 at 6:30 pm
A public information meeting will be held on December 1 at 6:30 pm to provide the public with information related to a planned prescribed burn at Halyburton Park.
The meeting is designed to educate the community about the planned prescribed burn and to provide a forum to address concerns of citizens.
For more information, call 341-0075 or TTY Relay 711.
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