Great Smoky Mountains National Park completes prescribed burn at Cades Cove.

Park crews completed a planned prescribed burn that treated 900 acres at Cades Cove to help limit woody vegetation and preserve the area's historic open habitat.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park crews completed a prescribed burn at Cades Cove that had been scheduled for the first week of the year. The burn treated 900 acres in the Park along the North Carolina–Tennessee state line. Park officials said the work is intended to limit woody vegetation, maintain food and shelter for species that depend on open habitats, and preserve Cades Cove’s historic landscape. The National Park Service described fire as an essential natural process and said similar burns have been used in Cades Cove for about 20 years. Key facts: - The prescribed burn treated 900 acres in Cades Cove. - The burn was scheduled for the first week of the year and was carried out under Park parameters. - Park officials said the burns help limit woody vegetation and preserve open habitats and the Cove’s historic character. - The Park said fire supports native plants and animals and can boost biodiversity for species that rely on open areas. - Burns typically result in a mosaic of burned and unburned areas, and new growth often appears within weeks. - Officials noted open habitats provide cover and foraging for wildlife such as deer, wild turkey, pollinators, and ground-nesting birds. Summary: Officials said the prescribed burn aims to sustain biodiversity, maintain historic open landscapes, and support wildlife that use those habitats. The Park noted burns in Cades Cove are conducted under specific prescription parameters and expects to see new growth within weeks, with visible regrowth anticipated in spring.