01/30/2009
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Accreted Land Management Plan
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2253 [30 JANUARY 2009]
Town of Sullivan’s Island, SC
Various national wildlife refuges (NWR) – such as Mackay Island NWR in northeastern North
Carolina and southeastern Virginia, Lee Metcalf NWR in Montana, and Arthur R. Marshall
Loxahatchee NWR in Florida – are just a few NWRs that utilize prescribed burning in their
moist-soil management practices.
Selecting the proper size, frequency, and timing of burns is crucial to the successful use of fire
to improve wildlife habitat. Experienced, prescribed fire managers should be able to predict
the changes that will occur in the vegetative composition of the stand. Prescriptions should
also recognize the biological requirements such as nesting times of the preferred wildlife
species.
Proper planning is not only important when considering fuel hazard reduction and vegetative
manipulation but also is crucial to controlling the detrimental effects of fire, such as the reduc-
tion in air quality from smoke. Wind direction and speed are critical to maintaining control of
the intensity and duration of the fire as well as determining the direction and impact of smoke.
Potential off-site impacts, such as downstream water quality, should also be carefully consid-
ered as well as on-site impacts to soil and aesthetics. Public opinion must also play an essen-
tial role in the wise use of fire. The general public is concerned about the deterioration of the
environment, and wind speed, smoke lifting conditions, surrounding road systems, urban
areas, and health facilities make smoke management a primary concern of the fire manager.
Control of the limits of the fire’s extent is generally accomplished through the careful and
planned placement of firebreaks. Permanent firebreaks can be used as access roads and
wildlife strips, especially if they are seeded with wildlife food. Weather conditions must also
be monitored prior to and during the fire. Wind direction and speed are critical to maintaining
control of the intensity and duration of the fire as well as determining the direction and impact
of smoke. Humidity levels and fuel moisture levels are crucial to determining how hot the fire
becomes and how much fuel is consumed. Low humidity levels can create “spot-over” prob-
lems that may lead to fire-control issues. Postfire weather conditions must also be monitored
to avoid problems of flare-ups and smoke settling on highways or urban areas because of an
inversion.
Prescribed fire is one of the most valuable and cost-effective, forest management tools
available. It is a tool that must be understood and carefully implemented. However, its
benefits are substantial to the aesthetics, health, and protection of the ecosystem.