Burn project proposed for Jackson County
A 956-acre prescribed burn is being proposed for the Nantahala National Forest in southeastern Jackson County, aiming to reduce wildfire risk, improve habitat for grazing and browsing wildlife, mimic the mosaic habitat pattern produced by naturally set fires and bolster regeneration of desirable species.
The burn would be conducted jointly with the Andrew Pickens District of the Sumter National Forest in South Carolina, which would see 806 acres of prescribed burning for a total of 1,762 acres. The area abuts the state line as well as the border with Transylvania County. A map of the proposed area is available upon request.
In most cases, roads, water bodies and topographical features would be used to contain the fire, though fire lines created with machinery or hand tools would be used in the absence of those features. Dates would be flexible, dependent upon weather, but fall within the dormant seasons between Oct. 15 and April 15.
Comments will be accepted through Friday, Oct. 21, to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or mailed to Steverson Moffat, NEPA Planning Team Leader, Nantahala National Forest, 123 Woodland Drive, Murphy, N.C. 28906. Oral comments can be directed to 828.837.5152.
