Controlled burns in Brunswick County help maintain wildlife

Forest fires in Brunswick County helped clear the way for future wildlife.

The Brunswick County Department of Forest Resources performed a control burn on more than 275 acres of land Friday.

The burn helps maintain wildlife habitats in long leaf pine tree environments and prevent unintended wildfires from damaging nearby homes. Environmental groups perform the burns every 3 to 5 years.

State Fire Manager Margit Bucher said, “Once we have an area burned it’s actually safer for our neighbors because there are a number of arson fires and occasional lightening strikes start fires in this area.”

If a fire does flare up, the controlled burns make it easier to prevent them from spreading.

The Nature Conservancy and other participating groups spend several months organizing the burns to make sure the proper safety precautions are in place.