Snow Cover Could Allow Pile Burning Near Upton, Osage and Clay Spur

(DOUGLAS, Wyo.)  January 29, 2013 – When conditions allow, U.S. Forest Service fire crews from the Douglas Ranger District will begin burning slash piles near the communities of Upton, Osage and Clay Spur.  Prior to implementation, weather conditions will be closely monitored and the decision to ignite piles will only occur after fire managers determine that conditions such as snow cover are within established burn plan parameters for safe, effective fires.

Treatments from the recently completed “Upton-Osage Fuels Reduction Project” resulted in dozens of large piles within one to four miles of each community that need to be treated to reduce remaining fuels.  Residents and the recreating public should be aware that smoke from these burns is expected and will often be visible.  Signs will be placed on adjacent roads notifying the public of the prescribed fires; however, road closures or detours are not anticipated.

In addition to detailed burn plans that are completed in advance of burning activities, prescribed burns require environmental analysis, as well as appropriate smoke permitting from the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. 

Prescribed burning is an important tool that allows land managers to effectively reduce residual fuels that could otherwise contribute to wildland fires being larger, more dangerous, and more detrimental to air quality.      

                For more information contact the Douglas Ranger District at 307-358-4690, visit our website at http://fs.usda.gov/mbr, or follow the MBRTB on Twitter, @MBRNFsTBNG.