Prescribed burns planned in Cherokee National Forest
Residents in the furthest west counties may see smoke over the coming months as the Cherokee National Forest carries out prescribed burns on an estimated 18,500 acres in Monroe and Polk counties, Tennessee, which abut Graham and Cherokee counties in North Carolina.
The planned burns include areas in the Tellico and Ocoee ranger districts of the national forest and will be conducted when weather and fuel conditions are favorable to do so safely. This window is expected to occur between now and the end of February.
Prescribed fires are implemented in accordance with a written burn plan that prescribes specific weather and smoke dispersion conditions before crews proceed. Crews are responsible for igniting vegetation, monitoring the behavior, and spread of fire, smoke, and ensuring fire is held by control features. Prescribed fire is used in the Cherokee National Forest for several reasons, including to reduce fire hazard, improve habitat, and to help manage for desirable vegetation.
