Controlled Burn Scheduled for Western Loudoun Week of March 23

Under the direction of certified burn managers from the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF), a landowner in western Loudoun will be conducting a controlled burn on the landowner’s property during the week of March 23, 2009. The beneficial use of controlled fire will reduce the risk of wildfires by removing fuels, such as grass, leaves, brush and pine needles, and will promote new vegetation that serves as food for many species of animals.

In advance of the burn, forest resource specialists developed a prescription detailing the need and benefits associated with the burn. The prescription sets forth all the conditions that must be in place in order to protect the public and conduct a successful burn. Those conditions include: the environmental impacts; the dispersal of smoke; how and when the burn will be conducted, and under what weather conditions.

The burn will be conducted along Branch River Road in the Neersville area of Loudoun County. In advance of the burn, informational signs will be placed along Harper’s Ferry Road to notify the public as smoke from the fire could be visible for several days. Information about the burn may also be obtained by calling the Neersville Fire-Rescue Station 16 at 540-668-6974.

While the certified burn managers and the landowners are conducting the prescribed burns, the VDOF and local fire and rescue personnel and equipment will be on hand to monitor the fires.
For more information, contact the Leesburg office of the VDOF at 703-777-0457.

Check out the full article at www.loudoun.gov