Following recent snowfall events, fire crews are starting to burn slash piles at locations across the Medicine Bow and Routt National Forests in Wyoming and Colorado.
It is estimated there are thousands of piles remaining on the two National Forests, even after several years of this type of work. Forest users and the public should be aware of and expect to see smoke, as many piles will be burned near communities and popular recreation areas.
“Annually burning slash piles has become part of our normal program of work,” said Vern Bentley, Fire Management Officer for the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland. “Our crews are well-trained in this type of work and we anticipate working towards the removal of fuels in this manner for years to come.”
Decisions by forest managers to begin preparations for burning piles were initially made in late September, following a period of wet, cool weather.
While overall conditions are currently favorable, fire managers will continue to monitor weather forecasts prior to igniting piles. Burns are only initiated if conditions are within established parameters for safe, effective fires.
The current and predicted weather allows for safe burning and the elimination of any threat of fire spreading to surrounding vegetation. Pile burning will continue throughout the fall and winter, as long as weather permits.
Each prescribed burn planned by the Forests has gone through an environmental analysis and has a detailed burn plan developed in advance, along with appropriate smoke permits obtained from state agencies. Signs are often placed on adjacent roads notifying the public of the prescribed fires, and closures are rarely necessary.
For more information visit http://fs.usda.gov/mbr, or follow the MBRTB on Twitter, @MBRNFsTBNG. One may also visit or call the Brush Creek-Hayden Ranger District, 2171 Highway 130 in Saratoga, 307-326-5258.
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