That was a big prescribed burn Tuesday on Dare County mainland

A prescribed burn along Mashoes Road in Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge on March 9, 2021. [photo courtesy USFWS]

U.S. Fish and Wildlife conducted a prescribed burn Tuesday of 800 acres of marshland on the Dare County mainland near Manns Harbor.

The burn is taking place in Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge along Mashoes Road, which is located on a peninsula between the East Lake and Croatan Sound.|

The massive smoke column from the fire was visible all the way to the Virginia state line. There were also several burns taking place on privately owned marshlands on the Currituck mainland Tuesday.

Prescribed burns within the refuges serve multiple purposes, depending on the time of year. Generally occurring in the spring and fall, the burns can enhance safety in case of a future wildfire, control vegetation, and create more desirable habitats for migratory birds.

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About Sam Walker 1512 Articles
Sam Walker was news director for OBXToday.com, Beach 104, 99.1 The Sound, Big 94.5 WCMS and Z 92.3 from August 2011 to March 2022.