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Wildland firefighters with the Cherokee National Forest are scheduled to conduct prescribed fires on the North Zone of the forest on March 13 and 14. These fires will be highly visible and will be less than one mile from Interstate 26 south of Johnson City.

Access will be disrupted for the Buffalo Mountain OHV trail during the ATV prescribed fire.

Wildland firefighters expect to burn the following areas:

– ATV (968) – Washington County – Lies between Buffalo Mountain OHV trail, Briar Creek Road (NFSR 188), and Ramsey Creek Road (NFSR 4355). *Buffalo Mountain OHV trail will be closed the day of the burn.

– Deacons Creek (1,600 acres) – Washington County – Along Deacons Creek and Tellico Branch Road (NFSR 53711). North of Hwy. 81, south of Dry Creek Road, northwest of the Nolichucky River.

Prescribed fires are used on the Cherokee National Forest to improve wildlife habitat, thin forest fuels, and help manage desirable vegetation. Prescribed fires target specific areas that need the natural process of fire to improve forest health and reduce wildfire intensity. Firefighters proceed with a prescribed fire only when the conditions outlined in the prescription are met. Due to changing weather conditions, it’s difficult to identify the specific days the burns will proceed.