The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that, beginning Thursday, May 2, and continuing intermittently until completed, controlled burning of brush piles will occur at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, in the Sandbridge area of Virginia Beach.

The brush was cleared and piled last fall along the boundary of the Refuge, bordering the community of Sandbridge. The objective is to create a fire-break between Refuge land and the community. The project is designed to minimize the risk of wildfire that might occur on Refuge lands from spreading into Sandbridge, and vice-versa. This is a long-term, ongoing project.

The controlled burn phase of this project is a safe, cost-efficient means of removing more than 150 piles of brush in the area. Burning will occur first on Refuge land north of Marlin Lane, before moving to the area south of Sandbridge. The burning schedule is weather dependent, with wind, temperature, humidity, and fuel moisture conditions all playing a role in determining if burning will occur on any particular day. Highly trained U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service fire crews will be managing and completing this phase of the project.

Residents of Sandbridge and surrounding communities, and visitors to the area should be aware that the burning project will result in intermittent smoke plumes. Smoke impact will be managed to prevent any hazard to people or property.

For further information, please contact Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge at 757-721-2412.