News Release

Announcement of 30-Day Public Review and Comment Period: Fire Management Plan

Date: June 20, 2024
Contact: Susan Sernaker, 229 518-2846
Contact: Bridget Beers, 229 931-7221

ANDERSONVILLE, Ga.-- Andersonville National Historic Site (ANDE) is initiating civic engagement period to update its long-term Fire Management Plan (FMP) by inviting the public to a Question/Answer session. Members of the park’s management team will be available to answer questions about the proposed changes to the plan from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm on June 26, 2024, at the National POW Museum. There are two other ways to submit comments to the park by July 5, 2024: through the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment System website at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/ande or by mail to: Superintendent, ATTN: Fire Management Plan Update, 496 Cemetery Road, Andersonville, GA 31711

The park’s FMP EA was last updated in 2003. As part of its mission, the NPS Wildland Fire Program manages wildland fire and fuel treatments to protect the public, park communities, and infrastructure; conserve natural and cultural resources; and maintain and restore natural ecosystem processes. The 2006 NPS Management Policies require each park unit with burnable vegetation to have an approved FMP.

An updated FMP is needed to ensure ANDE’s fire management guidelines are consistent with current conditions and the latest NPS guidance, and to continue to provide for firefighter and public safety, protect park values and resources, and remain consistent with the park’s resource management objectives. The proposed plan would provide a framework and parkwide guidelines for the management of all wildfires, regardless of cause, size, or complexity. The plan would provide guidance on the use of prescribed fire and non-fire fuels treatments to reduce hazardous fuel loading and accomplish resource protection objectives. The plan would provide for firefighter and public safety, consider the ecological benefits of wildland fire, and remain consistent with ANDE’s resource management goals.

Copies of the 2003 Fire Management Plan as well as the new plan with its proposed changes can be found on Andersonville NHS’s website at: https://www.nps.gov/ande/learn/management/index.htm.

Andersonville National Historic Site is located 10 miles south of Oglethorpe, GA and 10 miles northeast of Americus, GA on Georgia Highway 49. The national park features the National Prisoner of War Museum, Andersonville National Cemetery, and the site of the historic Camp Sumter Civil War prison.

Andersonville National Historic Site is the only unit of the National Park System to serve as a memorial to all American prisoners of war. Admission to the park is free. For more information about the park call 229 924-0343 or check us out on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube.
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