The Shadow
BATH COUNTY, Va. (VR) – Warm Springs, Va, March 10, 2025 – The USDA Forest Service is resuming a spring prescribed burn on the Central Zone, in northern Bath County, on March 10, 2025. Prescribed burns improve wildlife habitat by restoring open woodlands and grassland conditions on the forest landscape. Safety is the Forest Service’s top priority, and Forest Service fire managers will conduct a prescribed burn in the following area only under appropriate weather conditions:
The 100-acre Hidden Valley Fields prescribed burn will occur near Warm Springs, Virginia with possible smoke impacts to State Rte. 600 and HWY 220, and possibly the community of Monterey, VA.
There will be no scheduled closures during these burns; however, for the public’s safety, please follow posted signs. Depending on the wind direction, residents and travelers in these areas may see or smell smoke.
Experienced fire managers will closely monitor local weather conditions, such as wind and humidity, and adjust the schedule as needed to ensure the safety of both crewmembers and residents. Prior to lighting the burn, crews construct and designate firebreaks to ensure the fire does not leave the burn area.
The burn will mimic historic natural fire as much as possible and will mainly consume brush and dead herbaceous vegetation.
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