Controlled burns planned

Medicine Bow National Forest fire personnel are hoping to conduct prescribed burns in the northwest portion of the Sierra Madre Range in the coming weeks. The targeted burns will improve vegetation conditions and wildlife habitat. The burns will also reduce fire danger by mitigating fuel loading to reduce future fire hazard.

The primary burn units this will include approximately 430 acres near Forest Roads 435 and 456, between Jack Creek Campground and the National Forest boundary. The burning operations are part of the Divide Peak Prescribed Burn Project. Located on the northern end of the Sierra Madre in Carbon County, Wyoming, this project is nearly 1,600 acres and includes multiple years of spring and fall burning.

The burn units are located on National Forest System lands managed by the Brush Creek/Hayden Ranger District, approximately 18 miles southwest of Saratoga, Wyoming. Smoke from the prescribed fires will likely be visible from the Baggs, Wyoming and Saratoga areas. The burn units are composed mainly of conifer encroached aspen stands consisting of Lodgepole Pine, Engelmann Spruce and Subalpine Fir mix. Fire behavior models will be used to determine the needed organization to safely complete the burns.

The fires are expected to burn in a mosaic patter. Short-term closures during operations may be necessary on adjacent National Forest roads. United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service fire crews will monitor the burn areas until all fires are completely out. Staff will primarily use drip torches to carry out the burning. Necessary smoke permits will be obtained from the State of Wyoming and adhered to throughout the project.

Daily decisions too burn will be dependent on fuel and weather condition alignment. For the most up-to-date information pertaining to exact dates, times and locations follow the Medicine Bow National Forest official social media pages on Twitter and Facebook.