By National Park Service
HARRISON, Neb. - Planning is underway for a joint-agency fire team to conduct a prescribed burn of 1,351 acres of park property south of the Niobrara River this fall. Prescribed burns are used by the National Park Service as a tool to maintain prairie and other ecosystems and also to reduce hazardous fuels that can lead to uncontrolled wildfires. Timing for the prescribed fire will depend on preparedness levels, moisture, weather forecasts and resource availability. Fire management officials and park staff had been in discussions about burning this area, which includes the Carnegie Unit and the River Middle South Unit, since last winter.
“Prescribed fires help maintain a healthy mixed-grass prairie ecosystem,” says Park Superintendent Jay Sturdevant. “They reduce fuel loads and the chances of a catastrophic wildfire along with encouraging a predominance of native vegetation in the park’s natural habitats.”
The primary vegetation within the project area includes grasses, sedges and scattered shrubs common to the Nebraska panhandle region. Ignition will take place through the utilization of ground resources. Assisting with the prescribed fire will be National Park Service personnel with support from other interagency resources.
Prescribed fires are carefully conducted under identified and approved prescription parameters. Factors such as humidity, fuel moisture, wind speed and direction and short and long-range weather patterns are all considered in establishing the acceptable conditions for conducting a prescribed fire. If the prescribed parameters cannot be met on a specific day, the planned prescribed fire would be postponed.
During the day of the burn, smoke from the fire may be heavy at times along Highway 29 and River Road and visible from the surrounding region. River Road might be closed intermittently for safety reasons. Unless there is significant precipitation, smoke might be seen in the area for several days following the burn.
The Fossil Hills Trail will be closed during firing operations and longer if necessary. Other impacts to Park operations are expected but efforts will be made to minimize visitor impacts.
Further information about Agate Fossil Beds National Monument programs and schedules is available at the visitor center, by calling 308-436-9760 or by visiting our website at http://www.nps.gov/agfo/index.htm.
Agate Fossil Beds National Monument is located 34 miles north of Mitchell, Nebraska, or 22 miles south of Harrison, Nebraska on Highway 29 and 3 miles east on River Road. The Visitor Center summer hours are 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and the trails are open from dawn until dusk. Visit us at www.nps.gov/agfo. More information on events and activities can be found on the park’s website at https://www.nps.gov/agfo/planyourvisit/calendar.htm and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/agatefossilbeds