Subscribe
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Smoke rises above the trees of Marines Corps Base Camp Lejeune as prescribed burn season draws to an end and wildfire season begins.
Unseasonal rain has caused conditions to continue to be suitable for prescribed burns this year, extending burn season a few extra weeks past the usual March 30 deadline.
Kyle Avesing, prescribed fire specialist with the Forestry Division for Camp Lejeune, said there is a large difference between wildfires and prescribed fires and wants to educate the community on what to look for.
“Prescribed burns are set intentionally in a heavily monitored area with the fire department and environmental division standing by,” said Avesing.“A wildfire is a careless act or an act of nature and can lead to thousands, if not millions of acres burned.”
In 2006, the National Interagency Fire Center recorded the highest number of wildfires in more than 20 years in the U.S. Since the recorded rate, efforts to reduce wildfires through awareness have greatly reduced the number by more than half. In 2013, NIFC also recorded the lowest number of wildfires in 20 years, proving fire prevention and education are working.
The controlled burns are restricted from 100 to 300 acres and are used to spur new vegetation growth and remove excess undergrowth, said Avesing.
“Some people see the controlled burns as destructive, but it greatly enhances our ecosystem and provides area for new growth,” said Avesing. “It also protects our endangered species. The ones we have aboard base flourish in more open areas, which the controlled burns create.”
Burn areas are restricted to unauthorized personnel so pedestrians should be aware of signs marking controlled burns when travelling through training areas or forested areas aboard base, said Chris Parker, fire chief for Marine Corps Installations East – Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.
“The fire department, fire suppression team and base forestry will always be onsite monitoring controlled burns,” said Parker. “If someone sees smoke or fire in an unmarked area they should dial 911 as quickly as possible.”
Individuals should never attempt to fight any fire including forest fires regardless of size, because conditions can change quickly and become dangerous, added Parker.
To help prevent fires, the NIFC recommends properly storing flammable materials, properly disposing of fireplace ashes and cleaning gutters and removing flammable materials from roof tops regularly.
For up-to-date information on controlled burns, visit www.facebook.com/camp.lejeune.
Find us on Google + (http://gplus.to/camp.lejeune)
Follow us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/camp_lejeune)
Like us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/camp.lejeune)
| Date Taken: | 04.23.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 04.23.2014 15:40 |
| Story ID: | 127291 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 44 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Extra rain leads to longer prescribed burn season, by Cpl Joshua Grant, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
LEAVE A COMMENT