Festival to highlight importance of fire in longleaf pine forests

Learn why controlled burns are crucial to maintaining thriving native longleaf pine habitats at this year’s Fire in the Pines Festival in Wilmington.

Now in its 15th year, the festival hosts nature-themed exhibits, hay rides, food trucks, live music and animals, and the grand finale: a controlled burn demonstration.

The festival will be 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday in Halyburton Park, 4099 S 17th St.

The festival is a collaboration among organizations including The Nature Conservancy, N.C. Forest Service, Wilmington Recreation and Downtown Services, Halyburton Park, and North Carolina Coastal Land Trust to raise awareness about the importance of controlled burning and its relationship to longleaf pine forests.

Parking will be available only at Lifepoint Church at 3600 South College Road with free trolley service to and from the festival.

In the event of rain, the festival will be rescheduled for Oct. 11.