HARRISBURG — Shawnee National Forest fire staff and partners plan to conduct prescribed fires this spring, weather permitting. These treatments will help re-establish fire’s natural role in the forest ecosystem, improve forest health and wildlife habitat, and reduce the impact from future wildfires.

Prescribed fires and the approximate sizes planned for Gallatin, Hardin, Johnson, and Pope Counties include:

• Russell Cemetery, 278 acres, Gallatin County
• Copperhead Road South, 215 acres, Hardin County
• Bebout, 60 acres, Hardin County
• Little Cache South, 550 acres, Johnson County
• East Branch Cedar Creek, 1602 acres, Johnson County
• West Tract, 178 acres, Johnson County
• Fink Sandstone, 603 acres, Johnson County
• Double Branch, 1737 acres, Pope County
• Sulphur Springs, 800 acres, Pope County
• Bell Smith, 299 acres, Pope County
• Ramsey, 84 acres, Pope County
• Pleasant Valley, 1078 acres, Pope County
• Turpen, 74 acres, Pope County
• Pennant Bar, 469 acres, Pope County
• McConnel, 400 acres, Pope County
• Rothamel/Iron Duke, 247 acres, Pope County
• Simmons Creek, 2200 acres, Pope County
• Joiner, 336 acres, Pope County
• Glendale, including campground, 1819 acres, Pope County

Prescribed fires planned for Alexander, Jackson, and Union Counties include:

• Bean Ridge, 1366 aces, Alexander County
• Wolf Creek, 1648 acres, Alexander County
• Sharp Rock, 521 acres, Jackson County
• State of IL/Ava Cave, 1558 acres, Jackson County
• Mill Creek, 930 acres, Jackson County
• Pine Hills, 597 acres, Union County

Each prescribed fire area will have signs placed on trailheads and other likely access point to warn visitors of the possibility of the burn occurring. Visitors are asked not to use the area during the burn, and possibly for several days after to ensure public safety. Signs will be posted on roads near prescribed fire areas before and during burning to notify the public, and to warn motorists of the potential for smoke on roadways. Residents and visitors may see and smell smoke for several days. If you encounter smoke on the highway, slow down, turn on your vehicle’s lights and drive appropriately for the conditions.

Prescribed fires are conducted under specific weather conditions and are designed to accomplish pre-determined forest management goals. Shawnee National Forest follows strict guidelines for conducting prescribed fires, and takes into consideration environmental factors
such as temperature, humidity, smoke dispersion and wind. If any environmental conditions are not within limits, the burn will be postponed.

County 911 centers, sheriff offices, and local fire departments will be notified before each burn begins. Information will also be posted at www.facebook.com/shawneenatlforest.

For more information on fire, including a new prescribed burn interactive map, please visit
www.fs.usda.gov/main/shawnee/fire.