Preparations are underway for Ozark National Scenic Riverways to accomplish several prescribed burns this spring, between early February and mid-April.
The burns will be carefully planned and monitored by the park’s Fire Management staff. The scheduling of these prescribed burns is dependent on weather and vegetation meeting certain conditions. During prescribed burns, park operations will continue as usual, although temporary closure of trails or roads adjacent to the burn unit may be necessary for visitor safety. Portions of the Ozark Trail could be closed for a couple of days during the Mill/Buzzard and Stegall Mountain Complex prescribed burns between Klepzig Mill and Stegall Mountain.
Several prescribed burns planned at Ozark Riverways in 2022 will be cooperative efforts between the National Park Service (NPS) and other land management agencies. The Stegall Mountain Complex burn will be conducted in partnership with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC). The unit comprises the 416-acre Denning Hollow Unit (NPS land), the 573-acre Thorny Mountain SW Unit (MDC and TNC lands), and the 4,010-acre Stegall Mountain Unit (NPS, TNC and MDC lands). The Mill/Buzzard Mountain prescribed burn unit is 1,231 acres and is in the Rocky Creek area near Klepzig Mill in Shannon County. This burn will be conducted in partnership MDC. The Macy/Reed burn unit is 672 acres and is in the Lower Current River area in eastern Shannon County downriver from Powder Mill. This burn will be conducted in partnership with MDC. The Pistol Barrel Prescribed Burn is 203 acres in the Jacks Fork District, downriver from Alley Spring. This burn will be conducted in partnership with MDC. The Jerktail Mountain Burn Unit is 1,836 acres and is located about three miles upriver from Two Rivers on the east side of the river, in the Upper Current District. It will be conducted in cooperation with the LAD Foundation and Pioneer Forest.
In order to ensure the safety of firefighters and the public, foot and vehicle travel in or near the prescribed fire operations may be temporarily restricted. Firefighters plan to conduct prescribed burns during weather conditions that will allow for smoke to disperse without causing negative impacts. However, smoke may impair visibility in the vicinity of the prescribed burn and could linger low in the atmosphere over a broad geographic area. Individuals with respiratory ailments are encouraged to take extra precautions to avoid exposure to smoke. Anyone who is concerned about the potential impacts of smoke from a prescribed burn can request to be added to the park’s notification list in order to be contacted in advance.
Prescribed burning has a variety of purposes, including the reduction of fuel accumulations near developed areas, which helps reduce the threat of unplanned wildland fires in and around Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Prescribed fire benefits native plants and animals in a variety of ways. Deer, turkeys, collared lizards, and other species benefit from the use of fire to maintain or improve the habitat they depend on. Native habitats such as glades, savannas, and woodlands can suffer from woody overgrowth in the absence of fire.
For more information about prescribed burns at Ozark Riverways or to be included on the park’s notification list, contact Josh Chilton at (573) 226-3945 or josh_chilton@nps.gov. If you would like to receive additional information about other prescribed burns in the local area, please contact Missouri Department of Conservation at (573)226-3616 or the U.S. Forest Service at (573)364-4621. We encourage all to visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/ozar or our Facebook page for further updates.
