The U.S. Forest Service plans to conduct a prescribed burn Saturday on 507 acres of the Croatan National Forest.
The burn will take place off Lake Rd. and Miller Blvd in Havelock, which is about one mile west of Cherry Point and seven miles south of the Ranger District Office.
The prescribed burn will reduce the amount of fuel on the forest floor, preventing catastrophic wildfire and reducing risks to nearby communities. The burn will also improve habitat for fire-adapted species, such as the Red-cockaded woodpecker, and restore the longleaf pine ecosystem.
No roads or trails will be closed during the prescribed burn, but visitors to the Croatan National Forest should be aware of smoke and fire engines in the area.
A helicopter will be used to conduct and control the burn.
