Benefits behind controlled burns

CAPE FEAR REGION (WWAY) — January is the start of controlled burn season in our area which lasts through August.  

While some consider them a nuisance, they do serve a purpose. 

There’s a few reasons why they’re beneficial even if it seems odd to some folks. Especially to those new to the area who may not be used to the flames, smoke, and ash. 

“Science has consistently shown that any burning is better than no burning,” Coastal Plain Stewardship Manager and Burn Boss Nathan Burmester said. 

These controlled burns keep forests healthy for plants and wildlife.  

In addition to getting rid of overgrowth and dead organic material, these burns eliminate parasites like ticks.  

Coastal Plain Stewardship Manager and Burn Boss, Nathan Burmester, said areas maintained by controlled burns are less likely to escalate into an out-of-control wildfire.  

He said last year’s fire in the Green Swamp is a good example of that. 

“We did a couple burns in January and February of that year and then the wildfire happened in June and those areas that we burned earlier in the year were perfectly green,” Burmester said. “They didn’t catch fire at all in the wildfire.”  

He said he and his team try to mitigate the impact of smoke, which is the top complaint for these burns, by studying wind patterns and planning accordingly.  

“Which is not the case if it’s a wildfire, like the Green Swamp Wildfire last year,” Burmester said. “It was blowing smoke straight towards Wilmington and obviously we never would’ve picked that day. But that’s the day that it caught fire. So, when it’s a wildfire you don’t get to choose those weather perimeters.” 

Burmester also wanted to encourage drivers to be extra cautious if smoke happens to travel onto roadways.