North Carolina Forest Service will be conducting a controlled burn at Halyburton Park

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — In preparation for the annual Fire in the Pines Festival at Halyburton Park, the North Carolina Forest Service will be conducting a small, controlled burn  on September 10.

The controlled burn will be approximately half an acre of longleaf pine.

Halyburton Park will not close for the event; however, the main parking lot will be closed to visitors. Visitors will still have access to the picnic shelter parking lot.

About Controlled Burns:

Fire is reintroduced to a fire-dependent ecosystem through a controlled burn. The goals of the burn are to:

1) Reduce the risk of wildfire in the park

2) Promote Long Leaf Pine and Wiregrass, species that need fire to survive

3) Restore a natural element and process of the Long Leaf Pine ecosystem (fire)

4) Improve habitat for wildlife