Forestry officials talk importance of control burns at annual festival

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The importance of controlled burning is the cause of this annual festival. Several organizations collaborated for the 3rd annual Fire in the Pines Festival at Halyburton Park Saturday.

There was fire equipment on display and interactive activities for people to learn why fire is an important part of our local ecosystems. Games, food trucks, live music, and crafts were also there for people to enjoy.

Smokey Bear even stopped by for a visit too.

“I hope people leave with a better understanding of Southeastern’s North Carolina fire environment,” NC Forest Service Cape Fear Region Ranger Bill Walker said. “Everything is just interconnected and everything native to this area depends on the fire to really grow and thrive.”

Walker says without prescribed burning the longleaf pines across the region would disappear which would also impact many other animals and plants.