National Park Service plans prescribed burns in Hot Springs National Park
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Plans are in place to reduce wildfire danger in Hot Springs National Park during the last week of February.
The National Park Service is planning two prescribed burns in the park on Feb. 26 and 29. The service said in a statement the primary reason for the burns was fuel reduction by “reducing the buildup of hazardous wildland fuels.”
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On Monday, Feb. 26, the first burn will take place on portions of Hot Springs Mountain. To facilitate this, portions of Fountain Street and Hot Springs Mountain Drive will be closed to traffic. Dogwood, Goat Rock, Hot Springs Mountain, Peak, Honeysuckle, Floral, and Shortcut Trails will also be closed.
Officials said these areas would reopen as soon as it was safe to do so.
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On Thursday, Feb. 29, the second burn will take place on West Mountain and a portion of Whipporwill. Because of this, West Mountain Drive and trails on West Mountain will be closed to the public until noon Friday, March 1.
Park service officials recommend anyone how is sensitive to smoke to avoid outside activities during the two days.
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For more information on the Prescribed Fire or the Hot Springs National Park Fire Management Plan, contact Chief Ranger Jeff Johnson at 501-620-6780. The park’s current conditions page will have the most up-to-date information on the burns while they are underway.
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