Harrisonburg, VA, November 11, 2026 — Shenandoah National Park is undertaking two prescribed burning operations this week aimed at managing forest health and reducing wildfire risk.

The first operation is scheduled for the Big Meadows area, planned to take place from Tuesday through Thursday. This burn is expected to cover approximately 259 acres.

A second prescribed burn will be conducted at the park headquarters located in Luray. This operation is slated to run from Wednesday through Friday and will encompass about 56 acres.

Park officials have advised visitors and residents in the vicinity that these burns may lead to temporary closures of certain park areas or roads, depending on operational needs and safety considerations. Additionally, the public should anticipate the presence of visible smoke in and around the affected areas during the prescribed burn periods.

Prescribed burns, also known as controlled burns, are a critical tool used by land managers to achieve specific land management objectives. These objectives often include improving habitat for wildlife, controlling invasive plant species, and restoring natural fire regimes that are essential for the health of many ecosystems. By conducting burns under controlled conditions, park managers can safely remove accumulated dead vegetation that could otherwise fuel larger, uncontrolled wildfires.

The specific dates and times for initiating and concluding these burns are subject to weather and fuel conditions, ensuring that burns are conducted safely and effectively. The acreage totals for these operations are 259 acres in Big Meadows and 56 acres in Luray.


Story summarized from the original created by Michael Russo on www.whsv.com, see more information here.

Media gallery

SignalNewsAI
About The Author
SignalNewsAI