Schenck Forest Prescribe Fire January 30, 2025

January 31, 2025 ltimils

Update- On January 30, 2025, after much wait for the perfect weather, the first prescribed fire of 2025 was conducted in Schenck Forest. All forest users, Schenck forest neighbors, and stakeholders were informed of the “tentative plan of prescribed burn” via email on January 29th, 2025. The controlled burn was conducted under Schenck Forest Manager Garrett Sumner‘s supervision.

Prescribed Fire Overview

Prescribed fire is the planned use of fire under predetermined weather and fuel parameters to obtain specific management objectives, also known as “controlled” burning. Prescribed burning is a critical management tool that benefits North Carolina’s forests, wildlife, and environment and also helps reduce the impact of wildfire hazards. Prescribed fire is especially important in North Carolina due to the large amount of land in the Wildland/Urban Interface (WUI).

The Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) is the area where structures and other human development meet or intermingle with undeveloped wildland, forest or vegetative fuels. North Carolina has more WUI acres than any other state in the country and our growth increases this acreage every year.

The N.C. General Assembly recognized the importance of prescribed burning in the N.C. Prescribed Burning Act (GS 113-60).

If you have any questions or concerns about prescribed fire, please contact:

John Sanders (jjsande5@ncsu.edu)- Forest Manager, NC State

Garrett Sumner (gsumner@ncsu.edu)- Forest Manager, NC State

Elliot Nauert, Extension Associate (Wildland Fire and Prescribed Fire).

*http://ncforestservice.gov/fire_control/fc_prescribedfire.htm