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National Fire Plan Success Story

Westside Prescribed Fire
Cowpens National Battlefield, South Carolina
National Fire Plan - Fuels Reduction
2008

prescribed fire
High intensity prescribed fire reduces encroaching woody shrub species. NPS Photo by Rob Klein.

Westside Prescribed Fire, immediately post-burn.
Westside Prescribed Fire, immediately post-burn. NPS photo by Rob Klein.

Hexastylis naniflora research plot burning.
Hexastylis naniflora research plot burning. NPS photo by Rob Klein.

On February 20, 2008, resources from several southeastern parks assembled at Cowpens National Battlefield, South Carolina to implement the Westside Prescribed Fire. The goals of this burn were to reduce the amount of hazardous fuels within the unit and to create a more open, savanna-like, condition. The long-term goal is to increase eventually the native biodiversity of the site and to make the area appear similar to the time of the Battle of Cowpens in 1780.

The convergence of various resources and experience levels on the Westside Prescribed Fire provided many learning opportunities. In addition to fire personnel from several nearby parks, personnel from both the National Weather Service (NWS) and Clemson University Cooperative Extension also participated. The NWS person participated to learn more about Cowpens' prescribed fire program to understand the weather forecasting needs better. The Clemson personnel were conducting research regarding fire effects on Hexastylis nanoflora, a federally threatened plant species. The Westside burn was a resounding success and opportunities for learning and gaining experience on various subjects were available to everyone on the burn.

Contact: Christopher Davis, Forestry Technician, Cumberland Gap Fire Use Module, phone: (276) 861-3418.