Lower wilderness prescribed fire assessment
Newton County Times
Posted: Friday, March 29, 2013 9:00 am
National Park Service | 0 comments

HARRISON — On March 6, Buffalo National River conducted controlled burn operations inside the Lower Buffalo Wilderness area.  The 11,284 acre Lower Buffalo Wilderness Prescribed Fire unit is located in southeast Marion County approximately 7 miles southeast of Flippin.

The prescribed burn was conducted to reduce the hazardous fuel loads that could possibly lead to catastrophic wildfires, promote the restoration of post oak savannas and cedar glades areas, lower the risk potential of various forest diseases and improve animal habitat. Prescribed fire controls invasive vegetation, opens the tree canopy to allow sunlight to reach native plants on the ground. Hundreds of native wildflower and grass species in the Lower Buffalo Wilderness benefit from prescribed fire including several that are listed as imperiled in Arkansas, such as the purple beardtongue, silky aster, fringed puccoon, and fall glade onion. The National Park Service's prescribed fire also benefited land owners and communities along the park boundary by reducing the buildup of vegetation near homes and structures.

Some of the birds that benefited from the prescribed fire include: prairie warbler, painted bunting, wild turkey, ruby-throated hummingbird, great-crested flycatcher, yellow-throated vireo, pine warbler, indigo bunting, Eastern bluebird, summer tanager, greater roadrunner, cedar waxwing, blue-gray gnatcatcher, Eastern wood peewee, yellow-breasted chat, white-eyed vireo, red-headed woodpecker, Eastern towhee, field sparrow, Cooper's hawk, chipping sparrow, brown thrasher, Northern flicker, and common yellowthroat. The species listed in bold are declining nationally, but benefitted from the prescribed burn.
Several bat species, including declining bat species, show a preference to forage in places that have been burned the previous dormant season.  Collared lizards, prairie racerunner lizards, and most native land reptiles benefit from prescribed burns as well.

The prescribed burn was estimated to take 15 days to complete, however, efficient planning and favorable weather conditions caused the burn to meet operational and management objectives within 5 days.

Cooperating partners for the prescribed burn included Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, United States Forest Service, Arkansas Forestry Commission, and Rea Valley Volunteer Fire Department.

Initial reviews by Fire Management officials report that the Lower Wilderness Prescribed burn was a success. The burn accomplished the reduction of hazardous fuel loads, promoted the restoration of post oak savannas and cedar glade areas, improved conditions for stands of native grasses and improved that habitat for all animals.  The area will be monitored periodically by a fire effects crew to determine the effects of the burn.  The Lower Wilderness Area will be open and available for visitors. Visitors are encouraged to use caution and common sense in the area. Some trails may have become blocked by trees. 

Please report any blocked trails by providing GPS coordinates or geographical references to MROCC Dispatch at 1-800-692-1162.