Monday, February 05, 2007

MEMORANDUM

TO: Area Media

FROM: Mimi Cunningham, Executive Director of Community Relations

RE: Hazard Reduction Burning of Longleaf Forest Likely THIS WEEK, Possibly TOMORROW

University of North Carolina Wilmington is working with the North Carolina Division of Forest Resources to conduct a controlled burn of a 32.5-acre tract of longleaf pines some time Feb. 6-9, with a strong possibility that it may occur TOMORROW (Tuesday, Feb. 6) as early as 10 a.m.

The site is located on campus at the corner of Cahill Drive and Reynolds Drive, and runs north to the university property line, with the eastern boundary being the dirt road that leads to the ropes course. Please see this map to locate the area where the burn will take place: www.uncw.edu/ba/campus_map/index.htm

The burn will be of low intensity and only on the ground, not in the trees, and is expected to last approximately three to four hours. The burning will take place only under optimal weather conditions. All safety measures will be observed, with the burn actually conducted by the N.C. Division of Forest Resources with assistance from UNCW Landscape Services and public safety officials if needed. For safety reasons, all persons should avoid this area during the period of the controlled burn.

Public announcements will be made as far in advance as possible prior to the burn taking place. The only unpleasant impact could be smoke in nearby neighborhoods for a brief time period. In the long run, reducing the underbrush and highly flammable pine needles in the longleaf forest will reduce the potential for damaging wildfires and will ensure a healthy stand of longleaf pines.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please call Mimi Cunningham at 910.962.3171 or Jonathan Ambrose of the N.C. Division of Forest Resources at 9l0.251.5750.