
FORT EISENHOWER, Ga. – Fort Eisenhower residents have voiced concerns about the use of controlled burns and recent mechanical mulching operations near housing areas. We want to address these concerns and explain the measures our Environmental Division is taking to protect the community and the environment.
Why Are These Actions Necessary?
Each year, the Environmental Division conducts controlled burns on about 14,000 acres of training area across Fort Eisenhower to improve military training access, reduce wildfire risk and enhance the ecosystem. Those efforts are being expanded to include areas near family housing. The primary goal of these expanded controlled burns and mechanical mulching is to reduce the risk of wildfires near residential areas and other critical locations. Fort Eisenhower experiences multiple wildfires annually in these zones.
“Currently, Fort Eisenhower averages about six wildfires near the housing areas each year,” said Robert Drumm, chief of the Fort Eisenhower Directorate of Public Works Environmental Division. “As weather patterns grow more extreme, with longer periods of heat and drought, wildfires are projected to increase in number and severity over the coming decades.”
A major wildfire near Maglin Terrace in 2009 burned approximately 100 acres of forest and came dangerously close to nearby homes, stopping just 100 feet short. Drumm said favorable wind direction and a 200-foot grass buffer were critical factors, and it was largely by luck that the flames didn't reach the residences.
Crews removing and grinding trees around the housing areas are part of the Army’s Climate Resilience project, which is managed by biologists and foresters from the Environmental Division’s Natural Resources Branch. This project aims to reduce wildfire risk, create defensible spaces and improve forest health.

The Role of Controlled Burns
Controlled burns, also called prescribed fires, are crucial for mitigating wildfire risks and promoting forest health. Historically, southeastern forests—including longleaf pine ecosystems—have relied on frequent fires to sustain biodiversity and prevent excessive fuel buildup.
Fort Eisenhower’s Natural Resources Branch conducts prescribed fires under carefully monitored conditions:
- Weather Conditions: Burns take place only when weather conditions allow for safe operations and minimal smoke impact.
- Smoke Management: Teams plan burns strategically to reduce air quality effects on residential areas. Prescribed fires produce less smoke for a shorter duration than uncontrolled wildfires.
- Community Notifications: Residents receive advance notice of planned burns so they can prepare.
Through careful planning and execution, prescribed burns reduce fuel loads, making future wildfires less likely and easier to control. This process not only protects the community but also enhances the overall health of the environment.
Drumm said the next prescribed burn, covering about 70 acres east of McNair housing, is scheduled for this winter. Crews mechanically mulched the area last year and have already established firebreaks. The burn will take place when weather and wind conditions allow for safe operations.

The Role of Mechanical Mulching
Mechanical mulching removes dense underbrush and vegetation that can fuel wildfires. By thinning out this growth, the process creates defensible spaces that make wildfires easier to control. This proactive approach enhances resident safety and supports military training operations by improving accessibility.
Environmental Benefits
Beyond reducing fire risks, these efforts contribute to overall forest health and habitat restoration. Many forests around Fort Eisenhower have dense canopies and overgrown mid-story vegetation, which block sunlight and limit native groundcover. Controlled burns and mechanical mulching help by:
- Encouraging Native Plant Growth: Thinning vegetation allows sunlight to reach the forest floor, promoting grasses and plants that feed and shelter wildlife.
- Boosting Biodiversity: Healthier forests support a variety of species, including the red-cockaded woodpecker, which was recently downgraded from endangered to threatened.
- Supporting Military Training: Properly managed forests offer safer, more accessible areas for training exercises.

Addressing Resident Concerns
Residents have expressed concerns about the potential environmental and health impacts of these operations, including air quality and wildlife displacement. While these concerns are valid, consider the following:
- Wildlife Considerations: The Natural Resources Branch employs biologists and foresters who design projects to minimize disruption. Controlled burns benefit species like the red-cockaded woodpecker by preserving the open woodlands they need for survival.
- Air Quality Management: Prescribed fires generate less smoke for shorter periods compared to uncontrolled wildfires. The team times and locates burns carefully to reduce smoke exposure.

Looking Ahead
Although the current mulching project is complete, small-scale prescribed burns will continue this winter in select areas. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to protect Fort Eisenhower residents while enhancing the region’s ecological integrity.
By using a proactive, science-based approach to land management, the Environmental Division is reducing wildfire risks and restoring the natural beauty and health of Fort Eisenhower’s forests. These measures underscore the Army’s commitment to balancing safety, environmental conservation and operational readiness.
We appreciate the community’s understanding and cooperation as we continue these important projects. For more information or updates on upcoming operations, please contact the Fort Eisenhower Garrison Public Affairs Office or the Natural Resources Branch.
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