Hundreds sign petition opposing prescribed burn in Linville Gorge

LINVILLE GORGE, N.C. — Hundreds of people have signed a petition to stop a burn that would destroy thousands of acres but would also prevent future wildfires.

The proposal, as it stands now, would burn more than 11,000 acres in the Linville Gorge and several thousand nearby.  But it’s facing strong opposition from people who live in the area.

Ed Slate, who is retired and lives within walking distance from the Linville Gorge, is like many residents in the area and believes the prescribed burn will do more harm than good when it comes to the wilderness area.

“It leaves an ugly mess. It really does,” Slate said. “It leaves all the underbrush burnt and leaves skeletal remains of rhododendron and the laurel. It is not a very pretty picture when they've done one.”

The U.S. Forest Service said it is trying to prevent devastating fires, like one in 2007 that charred thousands of acres in a matter of days. A prescribed burn would allow the Forest Service to blacken the dead underbrush on their terms, helping revive endangered plant life while also keeping future wildfires in check.

“Fire is part of the forest out there. It has been part of the forest, part of that ecosystem for thousands of years,” said Stevin Westcott with the U.S. Forest Service. “So it is not a matter if fire is going to happen there. It is a matter of when.”

Beth and Claude Schneider have signed the petition opposing the prescribed burn. They have heard the Forest Service's plan to set smaller fires but believe the Linville Gorge is too rugged to take any chances that could threaten nearby homes.

“Don't mess with Mother Nature,” Beth Schneider said. “Why do you want to set fires?”

“There's always the possibility of the wind changing,” Claude Schneider said. “As far as a fire burning, control burning -- there is no control.”

The Forest Service said it is taking public comments on the proposal through the end of the month.  It could be months before any kind of decision is made.

WSOC