Agreement Narrative: North Fork of Pound Prescribed Burn
Primary Funder: Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
Location: Clinch Ranger District, George Washington & Jefferson National Forest, Wise County, VA
Innovation: The project provided funding to the Forest Service to complete a high-priority prescribed fire in the North Fork of Pound Special Area, covering over 5,000 acres. The burn was a second entry, and it accomplished its goal of maintaining the canopy gaps that were created during the prior burn and consuming ground fuels. This promotes early successional herbaceous and brushy species as well as fire-adapted tree species such as oaks and yellow pines. This project area is not in “suitable timberland,” meaning prescribed fire is the only tool available to create and maintain structural diversity and steer species composition.
Impact: The fire burned 5,400 acres in varying intensities. There was a substantial portion of the original award leftover after the North Fork Burn, which we have proposed to spend towards two other prescribed fires on the Clinch Ranger District next year in additional to some wildlife opening maintenance work within and close to the burn units.
Partners and Chapter Contributions: Partners are RMEF and the GWJeff. RMEF awarded $102,425, and the GWJeff covered the 1:1 match and implemented the burn.
Deliverables:
The North Fork Burn was completed with great success across 5,000 acres. Additional prescribed burning and noncommercial habitat improvements have been proposed to RMEF to use the remainder of the funding. See above.
