GA – VA – Prescribed Burn Season
ga
|nc
|gsmnp
|tn
|va
|Prescribed Burn
Update
03/10/2024
Cherokee National Forest has released information about the forest’s prescribed burn plan, which includes several burn units on or near the A.T. Prescribed burns are weather-dependent. For more information, contact the forest.
—
02/08/2024
A prescribed burn will be implemented near the Trail today, February 8 south of Tanyard Gap, North Carolina (approximately NOBO mile 280). The A.T. will remain open. Please be aware that you may see equipment and personnel near the Trail and there may be smoke visible from the prescribed burn today and tomorrow (February 9).
02/07/2024
Appalachian Trail (A.T.) land management partners in Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia are planning prescribed burns for this spring. Some prescribed burns may start as early as this week. Since prescribed burns are weather-dependent, there may be little advanced notice of a burn along the A.T. If you encounter prescribed burn operations while hiking, follow all instructions from posted signs and fire crews. Prescribed burns in the A.T. corridor may cause temporary Trail closures; be prepared to wait for up to several hours for the Trail to reopen or find an alternative route.
Hikers may see smoke from prescribed burns in lands near the A.T. If you ever encounter or suspect a wildfire on the A.T., call 911. Hikers should exercise caution with camp stoves during dry, windy weather, and consider forgoing a campfire. There are some year-round campfire restrictions on the A.T. Check the camping regulations page for more information.
Learn more about the benefits of prescribed burns.
Fire crews working a prescribed burn in NH. Photo by Matt Stevens.