Full Notification

The prescribed fire at Valley Forge National Historical Park will begin this Wednesday morning, April 11th, from approximately 10AM - 4PM. We will also burn on Thursday, April 12th from 10AM - 4PM if conditions permit. Local fire departments, police departments and Montgomery County and Chester County 911 have been notified.

WHAT:
A 150-acre prescribed fire is scheduled to begin April 11th in the vicinity of PA Route 23 and Gulph Road within Valley Forge National Historical Park. This controlled burn will be conducted outside of normal commuting hours but the public should expect to see smoke and fire adjacent to trails and roadways. Federal and state authorities are conducting the prescribed fire to reduce the encroachment of invasive plant species in park meadows.

WHEN:
Wednesday April 11th and Thursday April 12th, 10AM - 4PM. The starting of the prescribed fire on these dates/times is dependent on conditions being within required weather parameters such as wind, temperature, and relative humidity. Note: The order and date in which an individual field will be burned remains to-be-determined and is dependent on real-time conditions. See the attached map for individual field information.

WHO:
National Park Service Staff, Mid-Atlantic Fire Management Area Staff, Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry and assistance from local fire companies.

WHERE:
Valley Forge National Historical Park, a 3,500 acre national park unit located in both Montgomery and Chester counties in King of Prussia, PA. The area to be burned totals 150-acres within 5 distinct meadows adjacent to PA Route 23 and Gulph Road (see attached map). Visitor facilities, trails, and roads will remain open throughout the burn, although some adjacent trails may require temporary closure. Traffic on PA Route 23 and Gulph Road may experience short delays due to smoke. See the attached maps.

MEDIA:
Media will have opportunities to film and photograph the fire from multiple designated public viewing locations, including: Wayne’s Woods, National Memorial Arch, Varnum’s Picnic, Artillery Park, and the Von Steuben parking lots (see attached maps). Media can request an escort to get closer to the fire locations by calling Jonathan Parker, Public Information Officer, at 610-342-5182 (cell). Media are highly encouraged to call ahead to arrange appropriate parking and escorted tours of the fire lines.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Additional fire information including Frequently Asked Questions, maps, the official prescribed fire burn plan, and the list of designated public viewing areas is available at http://go.nps.gov/vafofire