PEDRO – The 500–acre Wayne National Forest closure order issued Nov. 2 for the Young’s Branch prescribed burn has been lifted.

The closure order on the Ironton Ranger District was issued for public health and safety and included the entire burn area, as well as Forest Service Road 132, and a portion of the Wolcott ORV Trail area. The burn area is located in Decatur Township in Lawrence County, as well as Vernon and Bloom Townships in Scioto County.

One of the objectives for the prescribed fire was to reduce hazardous fuels (fallen trees) that were left behind from the historic 2003 Ice Storm. It’s estimated several tons of debris was burned, returning vital nutrients to the soil. The burn will also help reestablish oak and hickory trees, which help support wildlife habitat in the area.

The U.S. Forest Service manages the Wayne National Forest’s almost 241,000 acres covering 12 counties in southeastern Ohio.