This Land, Your Land

State parks officials have announced plans for a prescribed burn in the Linwood Access area of Crowders Mountain State Park sometime between December 5 and 15.

The project will require that some areas of the Gaston County park be closed to the public during the event, a news release says.

The precise date of the fire will depend on weather conditions, but it will begin in the late morning and end by late afternoon. Follow-up operations could last for several days, and all areas on or around the Crowders Mountain summit will be closed to the public, including the Linwood Access parking area and trailhead, Tower Trail, Crowders Trail (Linwood section only), Backside Trail and Rock Top Trail, until the park staff determines the area is safe for visitors.

In addition to helping plants and animals that rely on periodic fire for their existence, prescribed burns reduce the amount of potential wildfire fuel.

Monitor the state parks alerts page, at http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/alerts/main.php, for notice of when the burn will be conducted.