NPS Photo Prescribed FiresPrescribed fires allow fire managers to conduct a safe burn under optimal conditions with sufficient resources available to meet specific objectives for the management of battlefield resources. Gettysburg’s overall objectives are to maintain the conditions of the battlefield as experienced by the soldiers who fought here; perpetuate the open space character of the landscape; maintain wildlife habitat; control exotic invasive species; reduce shrub and woody species components; and reduce fuels in wooded areas to reduce fire hazard.Fire Management PlanThis long-range fire management plan (FMP) for Gettysburg National Military Park and Eisenhower National Historic Site uses the benefits of natural and prescribed fire to achieve desired natural resource conditions in accordance with the Federal Wildland and Prescribed Fire Management Policy (1995, 2001, & 2009). NPS Director's Order #18, Wildland Fire Management (DO-18), requires all Parks units with vegetation capable of sustaining fire to develop a FMP. A combined FMP was developed for both GETT and EISE because the two Parks are contiguous and they are managed by the same NPS staff.PhotographsPhoto Gallery 2016 Munshower/Trostle Prescri...25 Images Staff at the park successfully conducted a 36-acre prescribed fire at Munshower field and a portion of the Trostle woodlot. This area borders Wheatfield Road and Sedgwick Avenue just north of Little Round Top. The overall objectives are to maintain the conditions of the battlefield as experienced by the soldiers who fought here, perpetuate the open space character of the landscape, maintain wildlife habitat, control invasive exotic species, reduce shrub and woody species components, and reduce fuels in wooded areas to reduce fire hazard. The prescribed burn successfully met the objectives, visitors experienced a rare battlefield phenomenon, and most importantly all staff remained safe throughout the prescribed burn. Photo Gallery 2017 Little Round Top Prescrib...36 Images Photographs from the Little Round Top Prescribed Fire on April 10, 2017. Photo Gallery 2017 Pardee Field Prescribed F...21 Images A successful prescribed fire was conducted on Pardee Field in April 2017. This area of the park was selected for a prescribed burn because it was an open area at the time of the battle and woody shrubs and invasive species had reclaimed the fields and open areas of the slope. This prescribed fire will aid in managing the vegetation in this area. This area was open at the time of the battle and without treatment, woody vegetation can quickly establish itself and grow into dense woods. The park uses numerous methods to maintain these historically open areas such as prescribed fires, mowing, and herbicide sprays. Of these three tools, prescribed fires are the more cost effective and ecological way to manage woody vegetation. Prescribed fires kill off many of the woody shrubs and invasive species that begin reclaiming these historically open areas while native grasses, which can sometimes be mistaken as weeds, provide habitat and prevent erosion. Photo Gallery 2018 Bushman/Slyder Prescribed...15 Images The park conducted a prescribed fire on Saturday, April 14 on roughly 100 acres between Devils Den and South Confederate Avenue. Gettysburg’s overall objectives are to maintain the conditions of the battlefield as experienced by the soldiers who fought here; perpetuate the open space character of the landscape; maintain wildlife habitat; control exotic invasive species; reduce shrub and woody species components; and reduce fuels in wooded areas to reduce fire hazard. Photo Gallery 2019 Bushman/Slyder Prescribed...35 Images The park conducted a prescribed fire on Thursday, April 11 on roughly 90 acres on the southern end of the battlefield. Gettysburg’s overall objectives are to maintain the conditions of the battlefield as experienced by the soldiers who fought here; perpetuate the open space character of the landscape; maintain wildlife habitat; control exotic invasive species; reduce shrub and woody species components; and reduce fuels in wooded areas to reduce fire hazard. Photo Gallery 2021 Little Round Top Prescrib...37 Images A prescribed fire took place at Little Round Top on April 17th, 2021. The Park’s overall objectives are to maintain the conditions of the battlefield as experienced by the soldiers who fought here; perpetuate the open space character of the landscape; maintain wildlife habitat; control exotic invasive species; reduce shrub and woody species components; and reduce fuels in wooded areas to reduce fire hazard. The park contains over 1,000 acres of open grassland and prescribed fire is a successful tool in managing invasive plants and promoting native species, especially when used in conjunction with other treatments. Photo Gallery 2021 Munshower field prescribe...20 Images A prescribed fire took place at Munshower field on April 17th, 2021. The Park’s overall objectives are to maintain the conditions of the battlefield as experienced by the soldiers who fought here; perpetuate the open space character of the landscape; maintain wildlife habitat; control exotic invasive species; reduce shrub and woody species components; and reduce fuels in wooded areas to reduce fire hazard. The park contains over 1,000 acres of open grassland and prescribed fire is a successful tool in managing invasive plants and promoting native species, especially when used in conjunction with other treatments. Videos
Prescribed Fires throughout the National Park ServiceShowing results 1-10 of 145
Tags:
prescribed fire
|
Last updated: June 2, 2021