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See smoke? Don't worry, prescribed burn at Camp Robinson

If you see smoke in North Little Rock on Thursday, don't worry it is just a prescribed burn at Camp Robinson.
Fire, Thinkstock

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) - The Arkansas National Guard will be conducting a prescribed burn at Camp Robinson on Thursday, March 15.

The burn will begin around 11 a.m. and will cover approximately 400 acres of land. It will be on the on the southwest corner of the installation in training areas 8 and 9.

The Arkansas National Guard requested our assistance in notifying the surrounding communities of the burn to ease concerns over what is likely burning, as well as give advance notice to those nearby residents with health conditions which may be aggravated by exposure to the smoke.

The smoke from Thursday's burn may be visible from many locations in the surrounding communities. Winds are forecast so most of the smoke should remain over the post until it rises and dissipates in the upper atmosphere.

The intent of the burn is to reduce the amount of natural fuel on the ground to benefit wildlife and reduce the wildfire risk to the surrounding communities. Periodic burns are conducted involving small, controllable, areas of Camp Robinson in order to effectively manage natural resources, provide optimum access to training areas and capitalize on good conditions to add a burn buffer zone to prevent accidental fires resulting from ongoing military training operations. Smaller burns also reduce the likelihood of accidental fires from turning into dangerous wildfires during the volatile dry months.

Post firefighters and environmental personnel will monitor the activity and adjacent fire departments are notified as a precaution to ensure public safety for areas neighboring the post.

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