Prescribed Fire Returns to Gettysburg National Military Park
Apr 7, 2026
Gettysburg National Military Park staff and U.S. Wildland Fire Service (USWFS) staff are preparing to conduct a prescribed fire Wednesday, April 8, 2026, weather permitting. Park and USWFS staff plan to burn portions of the west slope of Little Round Top (52 acres) and the Munshower field (36 acres) immediately north of Little Round Top. Prescribed fire activity will be completed as soon as all safety protocols are met.
General Gouverneur K. Warren stands silhouetted against a backdrop of heavy smoke during the 2021 Little Round Top prescribed fire. Photo courtesy of National Park Service, Gettysburg National Military Park
Prescribed fire is one of the many tools the park uses to maintain the pattern of open versus wooded land across the park landscape, similar to what existed in 1863. This element of the landscape contributes to the visitor experience by allowing visitors to visualize and understand how the battle unfolded and how terrain shaped the fighting. Prescribed fire also helps create and maintain habitat for wildlife as well as suppressing non-native, invasive plant species, giving native vegetation a competitive advantage. Several national parks in Pennsylvania and Civil War battlefields regularly utilize prescribed fire, including Valley Forge National Historical Park, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Monocacy National Battlefield, Antietam National Battlefield and Manassas National Battlefield Park.
Field and weather conditions will determine the exact duration of the operation, as the park only conducts prescribed fires under specific parameters to ensure public safety. Vehicle traffic in the area may experience delays due to smoke, but fire operations will be scheduled to minimize impacts. Some visitor facilities, trails and public roads will be temporarily closed during the prescribed fire.
Temporary Road Closures
To ensure the safety of all firefighters and park visitors, multiple roads will be closed to all traffic for the duration of the prescribed fire operation. Visitors can find up-to-date information on road closures on the park website at nps.gov/gett. These will include:
- South Confederate Avenue
- Sykes Avenue
- Warren Avenue
- Crawford Avenue
- Wright Avenue
- Sedgwick Avenue, from Wheatfield Road to United States Avenue
- Wheatfield Road, closed to vehicle traffic from the Peach Orchard at Sickles Avenue to Taneytown Road
Additional roads and trails may need to close temporarily if smoke conditions reduce visibility to ensure firefighters and public safety. See map for more details.
Temporary Hiking and Horse Trail Closures
All trails on and around Little Round Top will be closed for visitors’ safety. All hiking trails to the east of Sedgwick Avenues will be closed for visitors’ safety. The horse trail that runs south of United States Avenue from the Trostle farm to the intersection of United States Avenue and Sedgwick Avenue will also be closed. See map for more details.
News Media Parking and Public Viewing
For interviews and coverage of the Little Round Top prescribed fire, the designated viewing area will be on Ayres Avenue. News media only may park along Ayers Avenue. The public may walk along Wheatfield Road between Emmitsburg Road and Ayres Avenue, and may observe the burn from Ayres Avenue only. No facilities will be available at this location. See map for more details.
Learn More
Learn more about Gettysburg National Military Park's long-range fire management plan and view photo albums and videos of past prescribed fires on their Prescribed Fire web page.
Read the National Park Service press release.