Fire and Friends

Fire and Friends. New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. , In the summer of 2015, the National Park Service rebuilt the Turkey Spur boardwalk and stairway in order to provide a safer and more enjoyable experience while visiting this outstanding overlook. This project required four months of labor from a maintenance crew of four and cost $119, 054. In April 2016, arsonists started a 35 acre fire that burned the newly reconstructed boardwalk., Prescribed burns under controlled conditions are a way in which we mitigate the occurrence of wildfire and keep people and homes safe while allowing a natural process to occur. Arson, however, puts property and lives, including those of our firefighters, at risk. Due to the choices of a few individuals, the loss of labor and taxpayer money cannot be recovered. Thanks to a generous donation by the Friends of New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, however, the National Park Service was able to reconstruct the boardwalk once again for your enjoyment., We encourage you to become an active participant in the public lands and friends groups near you and have your voice heard in a productive way. Public lands belong to us all. Your involvement is your choice.