This Land, Your Land

The 2009-2010 season for controlled fires set to manage wildlife habitat and reduce natural fuels has begun at Alligator River and Pea Island National Wildlife Refuges, officials say.

Controlled or prescribed burns are intentionally ignited under specific conditions to achieve management objectives, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service news release says. Under normal circumstances, the prescribed fire season begins in the fall and runs through mid-spring. But, sometimes units may be burned outside this time period to accomplish particular objectives. Last season's fires at Alligator and Swanquarter began in February.

The FWS has posted a map of areas in Dare and Hyde counties to be burned, but it does not have dates.

Impact on the public is expected to be minimal, the FWS says; however, concerned individuals may contact the Refuge Office on any given day to ask about burning plans for that day. Hunters should be especially attentive if an area they plan to hunt is scheduled for burning this year.