An Official Website of the Commonwealth of Kentucky
The Briar Ridge section of Taylorsville Lake WMA, including the rifle range, has reopened after officials completed the prescribed burn on the south side of Briar Ridge Road on Wednesday, Nov. 9. Visitors to this 900-acre section are asked to exercise caution and avoid any smoldering woody debris. Precipitation is in the short-term forecast and should extinguish any remaining activity. The northern side of Briar Ridge Road was not part of the prescribed burning activities.
A portion of Taylorsville Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Spencer County is slated for a prescribed burn Nov. 9-10 to improve forest and grassland health and enhance habitats preferred by native wildlife.
The burn is planned for 1,500 acres on the Briar Ridge section of the WMA. The Briar Ridge section of the WMA, including the rifle range, will not be accessible via KY 3228 during prescribed burning activities. Signs will be posted to provide guidance about the locations of the prescribed burn and the area that is closed to the public.
Other public access to Taylorsville Lake and the remainder of the 9,417-acre WMA should not be affected.
Officials are monitoring fire weather forecasts and will take into consideration wind, air temperature, relative humidity, soil moisture and other factors before determining whether to proceed with the burn. Staff receive extensive training in planning and conducting prescribed burns and have specialized equipment to safely achieve the desired results.
Adjacent landowners are being notified of the planned burn, and the area will be monitored until all fire, embers and smoke are extinguished.
Prescribed fire is an efficient tool for habitat management. The management goals of the burns are to increase production of nuts and soft fruits and to enhance the regeneration of oaks. Burning sets back plant growth in fields and along edges, creates desirable open spaces on the ground's surface by removing leaf litter, improves native grass composition within fields and helps control invasive plants.
Officials have a narrow window of time to conduct the burns to achieve the desired results. Autumn is an optimal time for using fire to eradicate undesirable tree species, and to promote regeneration and growth of nut-producing trees such as oak and hickory.
For more information about prescribed burning, visit kyfire.org.