North Little Rock Parks and Recreation is planning a prescribed burn in Burns Park, south of I-40 and north of the soccer complex between the golf course and the western boundary of the park, this February. The burn will be overseen and carefully controlled by Park staff, the Central Arkansas Master Naturalists, the Arkansas Forestry Commission, and The Nature Conservancy. It will involve approximately 250 acres in the park.
The winter months are optimal for the removal of forest debris, deadwood on the forest floor that would provide dangerous fuel should a wildfire break out in warm weather months, especially under drought conditions.
The subsequent smoke during this burn will also be controlled to contain as much of it as possible. However, be cautious of smoke that could adversely affect roads or private property surrounding Burns Park.
If you have questions, contact the Parks and Recreation office at: 501-791-8538.
Visitors to the Park will be prohibited from entering certain areas of the park during the burn period. Residents and visitors in central Arkansas may smell and see smoke coming from the park. The exact day will be selected for its wind direction and speed to help ensure the smoke will rise up and away with minimal, temporary impact to the area.
- Burn: 60 acres for Pavilion Section, 130 acres for Green Section, 60 acres for White Oak Overlook Section
- Staging areas for water and drip-torch fuel will be established in easily accessible locations around the tract being burned.
- Road closures: Arlene Laman at Championship Drive and Joe K Poch at the gate by the Youth Baseball Complex. These restrictions apply to all vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians.
- Areas closed: Arlene Laman and Joe K Poch Road by the Youth Baseball Complex.
- There will be residual smoke and embers visible throughout the night following the burn and will be monitored.
- Areas affected by the smoke include Sherman Drive, McMurtrey Drive, Southwind Drive, and Young Road north of the park.
- This burn will help reduce fire fuel and improve wildlife habitat.
- We do encourage people to close their windows and those with serious respiratory issues should consider remaining indoors.
- As the air temperature cools, remaining smoke may settle in low-lying areas such as Burns Park and the Arkansas River.
- Staff will monitor the burn area throughout the night.
- Officials from the Parks and Recreation Department will be on-hand within Burns Park to answer questions from the public and to help direct traffic around the burn area.
- Notifications will go to residents on Sherman Drive, McMurtrey Drive, Southwind Drive, and Young Road north of the park. Notifications will also go to Burns Park Golf Course, North Little Rock Airport, and the Camp Robinson Public Safety Office.
- NLR Parks Dept staff will notify them approximately one month before the burn and then remind them the day before the burn.
- NLR Parks will post signs in Burns Park to notify of the potential for fire and smoke in the area. Signs will be updated as proposed burn days are established.
Full Burn Map and Burn Acres Plan
