(CADES COVE, Tenn.) SMOKIES.LIVE – The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has announced a planned burn of 900 acres on Wednesday & Thursday in Cades Cove.
The park service says they have burned in the cove for 20 years to restore native meadow habitats, reduce hazardous fuels, prevent the encroachment of woody vegetation and maintain the historic landscape of the cove.
You’re going to see a lot of smoke in the western portion of the Cades Cove area.
Burns typically result in a mosaic of burned and unburned areas, and new growth appears within weeks. The open habitats created through burns provide high-quality cover and foraging opportunities for wildlife such as deer, wild turkey, pollinators and ground-nesting birds. Without periodic fire, the Cove would gradually transition to forest, reducing biodiversity and altering its historic character.
Crews will remain on-site to monitor the fire and ensure it stays within designated boundaries.
No responses yet