U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Plans to Conduct Prescribed Burns this Winter

This winter, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service firefighters plan to burn several timber, brush, and grass filled units on Blackwater and Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuges (NWR). On Blackwater NWR, a 7-acre cutover unit on Harrisville Road as well as various marsh grass units will be burned, as well as an 80-acre timber unit on Taylors Trail Road in Wicomico County. On Eastern Neck NWR, several grassland areas will be the focus of prescribed burns. Weather conditions will be key in implementing these burns. Smoke in these areas should only last 1-4 days after ignition. Localized notifications will be made prior to the burns.

Prescribed fire is a valuable tool used to control invasive weeds, manage wildlife habitat, improve ecosystem health, and reduce hazardous fuel loads.

We thank the Maryland Forest Service in advance for their assistance in these burns.

For more information, please contact Eric Kronner, Prescribed Fire Specialist, at 443-737-7684 or eric_kronner@fws.gov.

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, located on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, protects over 33,000 acres of rich tidal marsh, mixed hardwood and pine forest, managed freshwater wetlands and cropland for a diversity of wildlife. To learn more, visit our website at http://www.fws.gov/refuge/blackwater or @BlackwaterNWR.

Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge, located on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, is a 2,285-acre island which supports a wide variety of habitats including brackish marsh, natural ponds, upland forest, and grasslands for a diversity of wildlife. The refuge holds the designation of Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society. To learn more, visit our website at www.fws.gov/refuge/Eastern-Neck or @EasternNeckNWR.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws.gov.

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