LINCOLN, Neb. – Prescribed burns are scheduled for Chadron State Park, Smith Falls State Park, Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area and Lake Minatare State Recreation Area this winter.

Between December 15 and April 30, as weather permits, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will burn slash piles – debris from cut brush or trimmed trees – at each park area.

Slash piles at Smith Falls State Park and Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area were created during forest management projects in 2009. Removal of trees burned in wildfires at Chadron State Park will begin this winter, and some of that material may be burned. Additional slash piles may be created at Lake Minatare this winter with the cleanup of trees damaged during a 2011 storm.