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National Fire Plan Success Story

Growing Season Prescribed Burning
Uwharrie National Forest
2007

The Uwharrie National Forest currently has approximately 4,000 acres of longleaf (or longleaf/mix) forest, with at least 10,000 more acres suitable for establishing longleaf. Most of these acres have historically been managed with dormant season fire.

During FY 2007, the district took advantage of an opportunity to use wildlife funds in conjunction with fuels funds to help pay for a helicopter for use on a growing season burn. The 250-acre burn was accomplished in July of 2007. The results of the burn appear to be very favorable.

Historically, dormant season burns have encouraged resprouting of unwanted hardwoods. The growing season burn seems to have significantly reduced the number of hardwood stems. After the burn, there was very little resprouting of the hardwoods, and little to no damage to existing longleaf saplings. Grasses are beginning to form in the understory, and the area is beginning to take on a more “classic” longleaf stand appearance.

Pre-burn conditions in a young pine stand, displaying thick vegetation.
Pre-burn.

Post-burn conditions in a pine stand, displaying little vegetation to compete with the longleaf pines.
Post-burn.

The district was very pleased with the results. Some growing season fire was used on the district in the early 1990s, but has been absent since that time. Since longleaf ecosystem restoration is a major driver of the new forest plan for the Uwharrie, the district foresees continuing and expanding its growing season burn program.

Contact: Kelly Cagle, District Fire Management Officer; phone: (910) 576-6391 or email: kcagle@fs.fed.us.