CLEVELAND — The National Park Service will soon conduct "prescribed fires" at three locations within Cuyahoga Valley National Park in the coming months, the park said Wednesday.
The NPS said the fires would be set any time between Thursday and Dec. 31. CVNP said "trained and experienced" NPS fire personnel will conduct the fires with the goal of improving the natural habitat around the park.
"Specifically, the prescribed fires will burn the invasive plant species, create good soil conditions for native seeds, and maintain habitats," CVNP said.
The park service plans to burn a total total area of about 182 acres. The first prescribed fire site is planned for around 40 acres of land at the site of the former Richfield Coliseum along State Route 303 near Interstate 271. Burns are also planned for a 129-acre section of Terra Vista Natural Study Area near the intersection of Canal Road and Tinkers Creek Road in Valley View and 13 acres of land within the national park off Boston Mills Road in Boston Township, just south of I-80.
CVNP said it is not possible to schedule the exact dates of the burns ahead of time because they must occur during a "designated set of conditions" including air temperature, wind speed and direction, and relative humidity. The park service said the fires could happen at any time between Nov. 7 and Dec. 31 and that weather conditions will be monitored to ensure safety throughout the duration of each burn.
"Smoke dispersal is a primary concern and park staff will do everything possible to limit smoke in the area by monitoring wind and atmospheric conditions prior to ignitions," CVNP said. "However, smoke drifting in and around park lands and roadways is possible."
