Controlled Burn Scheduled Announced

MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark., Jan. 11 -- The Army Corps of Engineers announced the beginning of the winter controlled burn season for public land around Bull Shoals and Norfork lakes. Park rangers from the Mountain Home Project Office will conduct prescribed burns on several parcels of public land between now and April 1.

Fire lanes have been prepared and will be maintained to prevent fires from spreading from the intended burn areas. Although some smoke will be generated during the burns, care will be taken to prevent the smoke from being blown into populated areas.

The fires are being conducted as a proven method of forest and wildlife resource management. Prescribed fires keep hazardous levels of fuel from accumulating, reducing the chance of serious wildfires. They reduce competing vegetation from established forest trees, expose bare soil, and enhance the growth of important wildlife foods. These fires help in recycling important nutrients, controlling diseases and maintaining healthy forest ecosystems.

Areas scheduled for burning at Norfork Lake include Seward Point, Barren Creek, Pigeon Creek, Bennett’s Bayou, and Chapin Point. Scheduled areas at Bull Shoals Lake are Indian Point, Point 6, Ozark Isle, and Carrolton Hollow Creek.

Anyone with unattended personal property such as deer stands on public land in these areas should remove these items right away. For more information contact the Corps at 324 West 7th St. in Mountain Home by calling (870) 425-2700.