Hot Springs, Va., February 24, 2023 – The George Washington and Jefferson National Forest will begin conducting prescribed burns starting in March. The James River and Warm Springs and Glenwood-Pedlar Ranger Districts will implement several prescribed burning projects to reduce forest fuels, improve wildlife habitat, restore characteristics of a fire-adapted ecosystem, and better protect communities. Fire managers plan to burn 8,307 acres this spring.
Prescribed burning is one of the most important tools the Forest Service utilizes to improve forest health and reduce wildfire risk. Safety is the Forest Service’s top priority, and fire managers will conduct prescribed burns only under appropriate weather conditions.
Planned burns will be scheduled in the following locations:
Alleghany County, Va.: The 1150-acre Tri-County burn unit is located 8 miles east of Clifton Forge and 10 miles west of Lexington. The Blue Suck Run Trail and Tri-County Road may be closed during burn operations.
Alleghany County, Va.: The 1291-acre Fore Mountain burn unit is located 2 miles northeast of Clifton Forge. Fore Mountain Trail, White Oak Flats, and Dolly Anne Road may be closed during burn operations. Smoke effects may linger in the Clifton Forge area.
Alleghany County, Va.: The 65-acre Coles Point burn unit is located 3 miles north of Falling Spring. Coles Point Recreation Area may be closed during burn operations.
Alleghany County, Va.: The 517-acre Morris Hill burn unit is located 3 miles north of Falling Spring. Fortney Loop and Cove Trail may be closed during burn operations.
Alleghany County, Va.: The 497-acre Spice Run burn unit is located 1 mile South of Boiling Spring and 5 miles west of Oriskany. Children’s Forest Long Loop, Children’s Forest Short Loop, and the Children’s Forest horse trails may be closed during burn operations.
Amherst County, Va.: The 440-acre Cole Mountain burn unit is located 5 miles west of Piney River and 8 miles east of Buena Vista. A short section of the Appalachian Trail, Old Hotel Trail, and North Fork Buffalo Road may be closed during burn operations.
Augusta County, Va.: The 327-acre Mills Creek 1 burn unit is located one half mile southwest of Sherando. Mills Creek Trail, Turkey Pen Ridge Trails, and Turkey Pen Road may be closed during burn operations.
Augusta County, Va.: The 467-acre Mills Creek 3 burn unit is located one half mile southwest of Sherando. Mills Creek Dam and Turkey Pen Ridge trails and Turkey Pen Road may be closed during burn operations.
Bath County, Va.: The 157-acre Hidden Valley Fields burn unit is located 3 miles north of Warm Springs. River loop and Cobbler Mountain trails may be closed during burn operations.
Bath County, Va.: The 2250-acre Jackson River burn unit is located 3 miles north of Warm Springs. Hidden Valley Trail and Hidden Valley Road may be closed during burn operations. Smoke effects may linger in the Hidden Valley area.
Bath County, Va.: The 167-acre Walton Tract burn unit is located 4 miles southwest of Millboro Springs. Walton Tract Recreation Area may be closed during burn operations.
For public safety, forest visitors and recreationists are asked to be aware of fire crews and vehicles in these areas. Please take caution as roads and trails may be used as control lines for the burn and could be temporarily impacted by low-intensity fire and smoke. Trails may be closed for a short duration during the burn for public safety.
For more information on our prescribed burn program, please contact the James River and Warm Springs Ranger District office at 540-839-2521 or the Glenwood-Pedlar Ranger District office at 540-291-2188. Visit our website https://www.fs.usda.gov/gwj or follow Twitter: https://twitter.com/GWJNF and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GWJNF.
