Forest Service Sets Controlled Burn for the Bolar Mountain Area in Bath County   Hot Springs, VA (April 4, 2021) - Location: The 1,744-acre Bolar Mountain burn unit is located on both Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources lands and National Forest Service lands, five miles west of Hot Springs and 1.5 miles east of the West Virginia state line and Greenbrier County. Date and Time: The Forest Service plans to begin ignitions on April 5, 2021, if weather conditions are appropriate. This prescribed burn will be completed over one to two days. Firefighters will continue to monitor the area for several days after the burn. Objectives: Prescribed burns keep the public and homes safe by reducing the buildup of dried leaves and wood in nearby forest land that can lead to uncontrolled wildfires. This burn will also promote oak regeneration for an overall healthier ecosystem. Temporary Closures: County Roads 600 and 603 may be temporarily closed. For your safety, please follow posted signs and closures when they occur. Smoke: The prescribed burn is expected to have lingering smoke effects in the Mountain Grove and Warm Springs areas and along County Roads 600 and 603. Depending on wind direction, residents and travelers in these areas may see or smell smoke. Additional Information: For additional information visit Inciweb at inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7360/59091/. For more information on our prescribed burn program, please contact the James River-Warm Springs Ranger Districts Office at 540-839-2521 or follow us on twitter: twitter.com/GWJNF1.

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