Wayne National Forest begins prescribed burns
Favorable weather conditions in place for hazardous fuels reduction work
Contact Information: Anna Owens anna.owens@usda.gov
Wayne National Forest is planning prescribed fire operations this November, pending all required approvals. We estimate this work to continue through January as weather conditions allow. We use prescribed fires to help reduce overgrown vegetation to help protect local communities, infrastructure and natural resources from wildfires.
Prescribed fires planned for the area include:
Athens Ranger District:
Long Ridge (East) Prescribed Burn Unit 40
- Size: Approximately 112 acres
- Location: Athens County, Doanville-Chauncey Township, Millfield, near the following:
- State Route 685 and Carr Bailey Road.
Long Ridge (East) Prescribed Burn, Unit 44
- Size: Approximately 424 acres
- Location: State Route 685, State Route 13, Coal Run Rd., West Bailey Road, Carr Bailey Road.
Long Ridge (East) Prescribed Burn, Unit 41
- Size: Approximately 353 acres
- Location: Athens County, Doanville-Chauncey Township, Millfield, near the following:
- Truetown Road, Oregon Ridge Road, State Route 13, and Carr Bailey Road.
Long Ridge (East) Prescribed Burn, Unit 47
- Size: 385 acres.
- Location: Truetown Road, Oregon Ridge Road, State Route 13, and Carr Bailey Road.
Ironton Ranger District:
Handley Branch Prescribed Burn, Units 1 and 2
- Size: Approximately 250.8 acres
- Location: Lawrence County, Symmes Township. County Road 50-Handley Branch Road.
Sunny Oaks Prescribed Burn, Units 4 and 31
- Size: Approximately 595.2 acres
- Location: Lawrence County, Symmes Township, Township Road 321-Forest Ridge Road.
Sunny Oaks Prescribed Burn, Unit 10
- Size: Approximately 262.4 acres
- Location: Gallia County, Perry Township, County Road 56-Symmes Creek Road.
Those areas may closed to the public for several days for public safety. Watch for warning signs along roads near all prescribed fire areas before and during burns.
Residents may experience smoke during the prescribed burns. For more detailed information about air quality, go to AirNow online or download the app. When driving, slow down and turn on your headlights when you encounter smoke on the road.
We will evaluate weather conditions in the hours before a burn begins. If conditions warrant, scheduled prescribed fire activities may be canceled.
Stay informed about the scheduled prescribed fires through the forest website, social media channels, and InciWeb, the interagency incident information system. We will notify county emergency management officials when burning begins.