Prescribed Burns Planned at New River Gorge

Four prescribed burns are planned over the next few months in the New River Gorge National River. The National Park Service says about 120 acres will be burned between now and May 31, depending on weather conditions. Separate burns will be held at Backus Mountain in southeastern Fayette County, at Carper Fields and Grandview in northeastern Raleigh County, and at Sandstone in northern Summers County. The goal of the fires is to reduce the threat of future wildfires, control the growth of woodland species into open meadows, improve wildlife habitat and promote the growth of oak seedlings. Smoke will be visible from Interstate 64 during the Sandstone fire and the Sandstone Visitor Center will be temporarily closed to ensure safety. Some trails will be temporarily closed during the Grandview fire.