The U.S. Naval Academy will set fire today to 20 acres of weeds at its radio transmitting facility as part of a wetlands restoration program.

The weeds, which are ineffective as cover for the birds and animals, are a fire hazard, a Naval Academy press release said yesterday. After the burning, vegetation more useful as nests and food will be planted, the release said.

A biologist and conservationist from the Chesapeake Bay Division of the Naval Facilities Engineering Command, as well as Naval Academyfirefighters, will monitor the blaze, the release said.