PEA RIDGE NATIONAL MILITARY PARK NEWS

Prescribed burns are announced

GARFIELD — Pea Ridge National Military Park is planning to conduct prescribed fire operations sometime during the months of February through April 2013, subject to weather conditions falling within the parameters of prescribed fire prescriptions. To assure visitor safety, some areas inside the park and trails may be closed while fire operations are taking place and for a short period after completion.

“Weather conditions permitting, some fields and portions of forest will be burned,” said John Scott, park superintendent.

Historic Landscape maintenance and restoration, and exotic species and fuels reduction are the primary reasons for the prescribed fire operation.

“Fire is a natural process, and has been a part of Arkansas landscapes for thousands of years,” said Scott. “Prescribed fire is a way for land managers to utilize fire in a carefully planned manner, using very specific weather and personnel guidelines to protect public safety while achieving resource management objectives.”

Fire managers make every effort to minimize smoke impacts to surrounding communities, though smoke-sensitive individuals may want to avoid outside activities on the day of the operation.

For more information concerning whether or not prescribed fire operations will be occurring on any given day call the Visitor

Center at 451-8122.

Civil War Exhibit displayed

GARFIELD — “Fought in earnest: Civil War Arkansas,” a traveling exhibit chronicling major historical events in Arkansas between 1861 and 1865, will be displayed at Pea Ridge National Military Park, 15930 E. Hwy. 62, Garfield. The exhibit will be displayed from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Feb. 4 - Feb. 27. Fought in earnest contains 15 free-standing banners that showcase images from the Arkansas History Commission’s holdings. Original documents, photographs, maps, drawings, paintings and artifacts illustrate the story of the Civil War in Arkansas. These primary source materials offer a first-hand look at the lives of Confederate and Union soldiers, government officials and civilians from 1861 to 1865.

During its 107 year existence, the State Archives has actively collected materials from this crucial era in our nation and our state. Diaries written by soldiers and citizens; letters to mothers, fathers, wives, sweethearts, brothers and sisters; military orders, newspaper accounts, caught up in the most significant event in 19th century America, photographs, broadsides, and even party invitations recount the dayto-day lives of people.

This exhibit was produced in part by a grant from the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council, funded by the Arkansas Real Estate Transfer Tax.