ASHEBORO N.C. – Smoke from a controlled burn in the Uwharrie National Forest is creating hazy conditions across Randolph County.
Today the National Forest Service is burning around 900 acres of land in the Uwharrie National Forest near Mt. Gilead.
The US Forest Service says the goals of the prescribed burn is “to reduce available fuels for large fire growth in the recreational area, support low browse forage for wildlife, and enhance the rare Montane Longleaf Pine ecosystem and also the Oak, Hickory, and Shortleaf Pine ecosystem.”
The following trails will be temporarily closed for burn operations starting this morning:
- TR717 Burl Tree Way
- TR715 Tananger
- TR716 Rudolph
- TR714 Wren
- TR713 River
Those trails are set to reopen on Wednesday March 23rd 2022, once Forest Service personnel have had a chance to inspect them for hazards.
Smoke from this controlled burn had already reach Asheboro by around 11 am, creating hazy conditions. Officials say there are no concerns about any adverse health effects from the smoke but encourage people with underlying respiratory conditions to wear a mask or limit time outdoors if they begin to feel any effects.