02/13/2026
DOE has announced plans for controlled burns on the Oak Ridge Reservation.
The DOE will be initiating a series of controlled burns of woodland and grassland areas on the DOE Oak Ridge Reservation, including the Three Bend Area off Pump House and Bull Bluff Roads, and other managed grassland areas off Bethel Valley Road and off Highway 58. Beginning the week of February 9 and continuing through April 2026 as weather permits, controlled burns will take place at:
* Freels Bend fields – up to approximately 284 acres of grassland and scrub
* Gallaher Bend fields – up to approximately 125 acres of grassland and kudzu
* Dyllis Orchard Road – up to approximately 49 acres of grassland and kudzu
* Heritage Center – up to approximately 29 acres of grassland
* Scarboro Road fields – up to approximately 58 acres of grassland
* Chestnut Ridge kudzu infestations – up to approximately 16 acres of Kudzu and woodland near Bear Creek Road and Highway 95
* Hickory Bend kudzu control – approximately 20 acres of forest edge and kudzu
* NNSA OST Training Facility – approximately 52 acres of woodland fuel reductions
* NNSA CTF Training Facility – approximately 75 acres of woodland fuel reductions
* Bethel Fields – approximately 52 acres of grassland
* Hunley Road kudzu control – approximately 12 acres of kudzu and woody debris fuel reductions
* Wheat Church Vista – approximately 12 acres of kudzu-infested pine woodland and grassland
* Hawk’s Nest Road – approximately 21 acres of woodland fuel reduction
These planned burns are part of the DOE's effort to provide wildlife habitat, encourage growth of native plants, and reduce the risk of wildfires. They are conducted and overseen by the State of Tennessee Division of Forestry (TDF) personnel who maintain fire control equipment, certified burn managers and trained personnel at the burn area.
During burns, distant smoke may be observed in the vicinity.
