Portions of Taylorsville Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Spencer County will be closed to the public for two days between Oct. 28 and 31 to facilitate a prescribed fire project as part of ongoing hardwood forest improvements on the property, according to a release from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.

The department says prescribed burns will be conducted when weather conditions are optimal from both environmental and safety standpoints.

Burns are planned on a 1,600-acre section of the Briar Ridge unit of the WMA south of KY 3228 on the first of the two-day closure, followed by a second day for evaluation to ensure all fires are out. The WMA will not be accessible via KY 3228 if traveling west from KY 248 during this time. The shooting range will be closed on the day of the burn project as smoky conditions are possible, but will reopen the following day. Other public access to Taylorsville Lake and the remainder of the 9,417-acre WMA should not be affected.

Project managers will take into consideration wind, air temperature, relative humidity, soil moisture and other factors before determining when to conduct the burns. If favorable conditions do not occur, this project may be pushed to a later date.

Signs will be posted and gates closed at all access points to the project location and adjacent landowners are being notified of the planned burns. The prescribed fire areas will be monitored until all fire, embers and smoke are extinguished before reopening to the public.

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources will announce the work date through an update on its website (fw.ky.gov) and X (@kyfishwildlife).