Prescribed burn in Croatan National Forest today

A 2,184-acre prescribed burn in the Croatan National Forest is taking place Wednesday about 6 miles southeast of Maysville. According to a news release, officials are asking the public to avoid Haywood Landing Road and Long Point Road during the burning operation. For firefighter and visitor safety, Haywood Landing Recreation Area, Long Point Recreation Area, and the Weetock Trail are temporarily closed while the burn is underway. People near the communities of Stella and Kuhns may notice smoke and firefighters working in the area. The goal of the burn is to reduce the amount of fuel on the forest floor to prevent catastrophic wildfires. The burn will also improve habitat for fire-adapted species such as the endangered Red-Cockaded Woodpecker and will help restore the longleaf pine ecosystem.