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Nature Conservancy prepares for controlled burn season in Onslow, Brunswick counties

Controlled burns, like this one in Lassen Volcanic National Park, reduce the risk of extreme fires by clearing flammable brush.
National Park Service
Controlled burns, like this one in Lassen Volcanic National Park, reduce the risk of extreme fires by clearing flammable brush.

The Nature Conservancy says its ready for the controlled burn season, which runs through August.

The Conservancy and its partners burn longleaf pine forest from Onslow County to Brunswick County and east to the Sandhills. Longleaf pine is fire dependent, meaning it needs regular fire to thrive.

Conservationists say fire removes shrubs, creating better habitat for a host of animals and plants. Regular fire also benefits people living nearby, removing the buildup of fuel that could drive large forest fires.

The Nature Conservancy says people have set fires in the region for millennia, and archeological research shows that fires were set as far back as 10,000 years ago.

Kelly Batchelor hails from the small crossroads community of Cabin in Duplin County in Eastern North Carolina. Since 1989 Kelly has been actively employed in radio.