WHEATON, Md. – Montgomery Parks will be conducting prescribed fires at River Road Shale Barrens Conservation Park and Serpentine Barrens Conservation Park in March to mid-April 2025 to help restore the parks’ native habitats and better support natural ecosystems.
Prescribed fires maintain and enhance native biological diversity and are a preferred alternative to mowing. Prescribed fires remove dead plant material, allowing sunlight and rain to reach the soil surface to promote regeneration of native wildflowers and grasses.
“As with all park programs and initiatives, safety is top priority. The prescribed fires will be executed under strict requirements outlined in a Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service-approved prescribed burn plan,” said Ryan Colliton, principal natural resources specialist for Montgomery Parks. “Fires are a natural process which support diversity of habitats and are essential to maintaining fire-adapted habitats and their associated species.”
The fire will be conducted by highly trained staff who follow a set of strict criteria, including fuel characteristics, weather, and containment parameters. If one of the above-mentioned parameters is not met, then the prescribed fire will not be conducted.
While the prescribed fires will be contained within the identified area, smoke will be visible but should lift adequately above the surrounding areas. The fires will last about three hours; staff will remain on site to extinguish all smoldering materials.
The exact date of the prescribed fire is dependent upon weather conditions, and it will be posted on Montgomery Parks website at www.MontgomeryParks.org/prescribed-fire.
About Montgomery Parks
Montgomery Parks manages more than 37,000 acres of parkland, consisting of 419 parks. Montgomery Parks is focused on promoting physical activity, social connectivity, and environmental stewardship, especially in diverse and urbanizing areas, with an emphasis on teens, working-age adults, and seniors. Montgomery Parks is a department of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), a bi-county agency established in 1927 to steward public land. M-NCPPC has been nationally recognized for its high-quality parks and recreation services and is regarded as a national model by other parks systems. MontgomeryParks.org
Accessibility
Montgomery Parks, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, encourages and supports the participation of individuals with disabilities. Please contact the Program Access Office at 301-495-2581 (Voice/TTY), MD Relay 7-1-1 or 800-552-7724 or ProgramAccess@MontgomeryParks.org to request a disability modification. Visit Montgomery Parks Accessibility for more information.
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