03/28/2024
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By Erin Smith

A controlled burn will take place today at Singletary Lake State Park. Residents in the county can expect to see large smoke plumes from the controlled burn.

Hans Rohr, the Forest Supervisor for Bladen Lakes State Forest,  said the controlled burn will consist of 700 acres today (Friday, February 1, 2019). He explained the controlled burn will take place on land that surrounds the north side of Singletary Lake and is taking place on land owned by Singletary Lake State Park and a tract owned by Bladen Lakes State Forest. Rohr did not anticipate smokey conditions affecting residents in the area.

Hans Rohr, the Forest Supervisor for Bladen Lakes State Forest, said, “Smoke should drift north of the burn area.”

He explained they are doing what is called a helicopter burn. Rohr stated that the helicopter will drop small flammable balls similar in size to a ping pong ball. These flammable balls will ignite any fuel on the ground such as shrubbery and underbrush. He said the helicopter will be taking off and landing form a staging area on the south side of NC 53 near Singletary Lake State Park.

Rohr said the controlled burns are necessary and help to keep the forests healthy and to prevent wildfires. The N.C. Forest Service and its partners conduct controlled burns to reduce “forest fuels” such as fallen leaves, sticks and other natural debris, to help prevent destructive wildfires like the ones that have made headlines in California late last year.

To learn more about prescribed burning and forest management opportunities, contact your local N.C. Forest Service county ranger or visit ncforestservice.gov and follow the links under the “Programs and Services” tab to “Managing your forest.”

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