Saratoga National Historical Park is planning a series of prescribed fires in the coming weeks. The areas to be burned this year include approximately 60 acres of grasses, shrubs, and woodlands on the hillsides and fields along on the park tour road.
Depending on favorable weather and site conditions, the first burns could take place during the second or third week in April. Because certain prescription parameters must be met (including wind speed, relative humidity, fuel moisture, and drought index), it is not possible to precisely schedule prescribed fires in advance.
Roads, visitor use facilities, and hiking trails may be temporarily closed while burns are underway. Notification of burns and closures will be posted the day of in the alerts section of the park’s website and on social media.
Prescribed fire is an approved tool for natural resource management throughout the National Park System and is part of Saratoga National Historical Park’s fire management program. The primary objectives of the prescribed fire program are: restoration and perpetuation of scenic and cultural landscapes, including native plant species; reduction of wildland fuel loading; and enhancement of wildlife habitat.
Assistance may be provided by firefighters from other National Park Service units, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the New York State Forest Rangers and The Albany Pine Bush Preserve.
For more information about Saratoga National Historical Park, call the Visitor Center at (518) 670-2985, visit www.nps.gov/sara, or find the park on Facebook or Twitter @SaratogaNHP.
Saratoga National Historical Park preserves, protects and interprets the sites associated with the battles, siege and surrender of the British forces at Saratoga. The park encompasses five sites including the Saratoga Battlefield, General Philip Schuyler’s House, Victory Woods, the Saratoga Monument and Sword Surrender Site totaling 3,579 acres.
Photo: Prescribed burning at Saratoga Battlefield in 2021 (provided).
