As part of Fort Stewart’s annual burn season (December 1 to June 30), their Forestry Branch will conduct controlled burns today, Thursday, May 15, 2025. These burns are an important tool for land management and help reduce the risk of wildfires. Throughout the burn season, Fort Stewart plans to treat about 115,000 acres, with each individual burn typically covering around 600 acres.
What to Expect:
You may notice smoke or haze in the area during the burn. While these burns are done carefully, some smoke could drift into nearby places. Public safety is a top priority, and the burns are done with safety measures in place.
How the Burns Are Done:
The Forestry Branch uses both helicopters and ground equipment to start the controlled burns in the training areas. Helicopters are used to quickly light several small fires that combine into one larger burn, helping reduce the amount of smoke that drifts. Before starting any burn, weather conditions are carefully checked to make sure smoke rises and doesn’t affect the area too much.
Why the Burns Are Important:
Controlled burns create safe, open areas for military training. They also help protect wildlife by keeping habitats healthy for animals like the gopher tortoise and the red-cockaded woodpecker, both of which are threatened species. The burns also help the endangered longleaf pine tree grow back and stay healthy.
If you have any concerns or need further information, visit Fort Stewart’s website.