Public Contact: Jim Helstowski, Prescribed Fire Specialist, at 443-972-3124
Media Contact: fws_press_r5@ios.doi.gov

Cambridge, Md. — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Wildland Fire Service will conduct several multi-acre prescribed fires at Blackwater and Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuges from October of 2026 to April 2027, conditions permitting. 

Closures of public areas may occur during prescribed fire operations to ensure public safety. Any impacted areas will reopen when the prescribed fire is complete, and it is safe for the public to re-enter. During fire operations, residents may see firefighters and equipment along roads and waterways, as well as airboats and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) used to ignite, monitor and observe fire activity.

Smoke may be visible during and after the prescribed fire. Smoke can affect visibility and air quality. Fire managers will monitor smoke conditions and conduct the burn under conditions intended to minimize smoke impacts to local communities.

Current air-quality information is available at AirNow.gov.

These prescribed fires are part of Chesapeake Marshlands National Wildlife Refuge Complex’s ongoing land management program and are planned to reduce hazardous fuel loads in forests and marshlands, while also improving wildlife habitat. Prescribed fire is a tool that is carefully planned and implemented by fire managers to safely apply low-intensity fire under specific weather and fuel conditions. 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with the U.S. Wildland Fire Service in cooperation with Maryland Forest Service and The Nature Conservancy to plan and complete the prescribed fires.

Additional information on these prescribed fires will be available on the Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge Facebook page and Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge Facebook page.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information, visit www.fws.gov and connect with us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter), LinkedIn, Flickr, and YouTube.

-FWS-