Gettysburg National Military Park staff, in coordination with the newly-formed U.S. Wildland Fire Service (USWFS), plan to conduct prescribed fires on the Gettysburg Battlefield tomorrow, weather permitting.
The burn will include portions of the west slope of Little Round Top (52 acres) and the Munshower field (36 acres) immediately north of Little Round Top. Officials said operations will proceed only when all safety protocols are met.
Prescribed fire is one of several tools the park uses to keep the historic balance of open and wooded land similar to conditions during the 1863 Battle of Gettysburg. This landscape management helps visitors better understand how terrain influenced the battle. It also supports wildlife habitat and helps control invasive plant species, giving native vegetation a competitive advantage.
Several nearby parks and Civil War battlefields—including Valley Forge National Historical Park, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Monocacy National Battlefield, Antietam National Battlefield, and Manassas National Battlefield Park—also use prescribed fire as part of their land management strategies.
Traffic and visitor impacts
Field and weather conditions will determine how long the operation lasts. Visitors should expect possible delays due to smoke, and some roads, trails, and facilities will be temporarily closed to ensure public safety.
Temporary road closures
The following roads will be closed during the prescribed fire:
- South Confederate Avenue
- Sykes Avenue
- Warren Avenue
- Crawford Avenue
- Wright Avenue
- Sedgwick Avenue (from Wheatfield Road to United States Avenue)
- Wheatfield Road (from the Peach Orchard at Sickles Avenue to Taneytown Road)
Additional roads and trails may close if smoke reduces visibility.
Trail closures
- All trails on and around Little Round Top
- All hiking trails east of Sedgwick Avenue
- Horse trail south of United States Avenue, from the Trostle farm to the intersection of United States Avenue and Sedgwick Avenue
Public viewing and media access
A designated viewing area will be available along Ayres Avenue. News media may park along Ayres Avenue. Members of the public may walk along Wheatfield Road between Emmitsburg Road and Ayres Avenue and observe the burn from Ayres Avenue.
No visitor facilities will be available at the viewing location.
Learn more
More information about the park’s fire management plan, including photos and videos of past prescribed burns, is available at:
https://go.nps.gov/PrescribedFires
About the National Park Service
Established in 1916, the National Park Service preserves America’s natural and cultural resources for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of current and future generations. Learn more at https://www.nps.gov.