Monday, April 28 - USDA Forest Service federal fire management specialists are planning to conduct a prescribed burn on 440 acres today in the Cole Mountain area of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest, Glenwood Pedlar Ranger District.
Today’s prescribed burn is located near Wiggin Springs Road and Hog Camp Gap in Amherst County. The Appalachian National Scenic Trail and Old Hotel Trail #515 will be closed throughout the day.
Prescribed burns are low-intensity fires, ignited by trained personnel, to remove excess vegetation and dead wood that would enable wildfires to burn hotter and longer.
Smoke may be visible near the towns of Montebello, eight miles from the prescribed burn and Fairfield, 10 miles northwest of the unit. The wind direction will be coming from the south.
Some smoke will settle around the general area of the burn. If encountering smoke on roadways, motorists are asked to slow down, turn on their low-beam headlights and use caution when encountering prescribed burning operations and smoke.
Anyone with questions can call the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest office at (540) 291-2188.
