Get ready to smell smoke in the air at Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield.

Today through Thursday, depending on the weather, up to 250 acres of grassland and forest will be burned.

The control burns will help to reduce the wood plants and invasive plant species creating good soil for native plants and seedlings.

Here are the areas that will have the control burns:

• Northwest around the junction of Farm Road 182 and ZZ Highway.
• At stop 2 east of the tour road.
• Southwest of stop 5 of the tour road.
• The park’s southwest boundary is just east of ZZ highway near Terrell Creek.

You can expect smoke drifting around these areas. If you are subject to smoke sensitivity, it may be best to stay inside during the area burns.

Fire is being reintroduced as an effective management tool to assist with the restoration of some native plants.Need additional information on fire operations and or closure? You may call the park’s Visitor Center at 417-732-2662/417-732-6596 or visit the website HERE