UPDATE: Today’s planned prescribed burn has been cancelled, according to the city, citing weather conditions. Halyburton Park will remain open.
Below is the original story that ran Wednesday before the cancellation.
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Residents and commuters in the Halyburton Park vicinity could see smoke Thursday.
The park, at 4099 S. 17th St., will be the scene of a prescribed burn and will close all day for the operation.
A notice from the City of Wilmington said 7-15 acres of the park will burn (in the area shaded dark brown on the map above).
“Prescribed burns are planned fires that burn undergrowth in a controlled manner to minimize the risk of wild fires,” the city explained. “While removing undergrowth, the prescribed burn will make it easier for native plant species such as the Long Leaf Pine and Wiregrass to grow and also improve the habitat in the park for wildlife.”
Thursday’s burn–dependent on favorable weather conditions–would be the fourth at Halyburton Park. The first was in 2009.
The N.C. Forest Service and the Wilmington Fire Department will conduct the operation.
More information is available through 341-0075 and halyburtonpark.com.
