Gulf State Park, Ala. — (OBA) — Gulf State Park officials are preparing to conduct a controlled burn in the area of Eagle Loop.. The prescribed burn is part of an ongoing forest management initiative focused on restoring longleaf pine habitat and controlling invasive plant species. Park managers say the fire will also help reduce accumulated vegetation that could fuel dangerous wildfires. The Alabama Forestry Commission will oversee the operation on behalf of the state parks system.

The burn is scheduled for November 5, 2025, in the Eagle Loop section near Lake Shelby, though the date depends on favorable weather conditions. State Park Road will be temporarily closed to ensure public safety during the burning operation.

Park officials are taking precautions to manage smoke and protect visitors during the controlled fire. Guests staying in lakeside cabins should expect to see and smell smoke from the burning vegetation. Only cabin guests will have access to the Eagle Loop area while the fire is actively burning.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' State Parks Division is coordinating the burn with forestry experts. Prescribed fire has become a standard tool for managing forests in coastal Alabama. The technique helps maintain healthy ecosystems while reducing the risk of uncontrolled wildfires.

Forest managers say controlled burning offers multiple environmental benefits for the region. The fires reduce fuel loads that accumulate on the forest floor over time. They also improve habitat conditions for native wildlife species. The practice is particularly valuable in south Alabama due to the area's vegetation types and extended growing season.

Gulf State Park plans to conduct additional prescribed burns in other sections of the park. Officials will announce specific dates and locations for future burns once they are confirmed. The public can learn more about prescribed fire benefits by visiting the Outdoor Alabama website.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources oversees the state's natural resources through four main divisions. These include Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. The agency promotes responsible stewardship and public enjoyment of Alabama's outdoor spaces.