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(MURFREESBORO) With all of the news of wildfires, don't get concerned when you see black smoke billowing into the air from the Stones River Battlefield on Monday (2/3/2020).
Starting Monday the National Park Service will be performing prescribed controlled burns. The burn will include 114 acres of fields and 71 acres of forested land.
Chief Ranger Jim Lewis noted that the purpose of Monday's burn is to promote the growth of native species. He explained that fire recycles nutrients into the soil, and help control invasive plants.
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That is fire that is intentionally ignited as a method of restoring good health to the ecosystem by eliminating plants that choke-out native vegetation, both trees and plants. Controlled burns are also science's ways to prepare an area for new trees and other desired vegetation.
The burning will largely be conducted on portions of the property along Old Nashville Highway and Medical Center Parkway.
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The local burn is being handled by specially trained units from the Mississippi River Fire Management Zone. Chickamauga, Chattanooga National Military Park, and Stones River will manage the prescribed burns.
Some entrances and trails to the Stones River Battlefield may be closed periodically throughout the day, but the visitors center will remain open for regular hours, 9:00AM-5:00PM.
