ST. GEORGE — Fire managers for the Bureau of Land Management and, in the Utah areas, the Utah Division of Forestry and State Lands, are planning to burn piles resulting from road thinning work and other slash piles near Mt. Trumbull, Arizona, Iron County and south of Beaver.
According to releases by the BLM, these efforts are lessening wildfire risks in communities proximate to the burns and protect cultural and natural resources.
The burns are planned to create fuel breaks and reduce hazardous fuels. Prescribed fire projects are consistent with land and resource management plans, public health considerations, and approved prescribed fire plans, according to the BLM.
Burns must meet strict weather-related and environmental factors prior to ignition.
Slash piles are accumulations of tree limbs, leaves, pine needles and other woody materials that are created naturally or by forest management activities like thinning, pruning or timber harvesting.
A fuel break is a gap in vegetation or other combustible material that can act as a barrier to slow or stop the progress of a wildfire.
There are no road or trail closures anticipated at this time, but public access may be restricted during ignition to ensure public safety.
Smoke may be present during the length of these projects and following for several days in areas near the fire, including Interstate 15 and major road systems around Cedar City and Beaver as well as the remote areas around Mt. Trumbull in Arizona. Smoke can reduce visibility along roads and highways near the burn areas. Motorists are advised to use caution when traveling in areas near prescribed fire activity.
Mt. Trumbull
The prescribed burn is located 65 miles south of St. George near Mt. Trumbull on the Grand Canyon Parashant National Monument. The burns will begin in mid-January and last through mid-February.
BLM Arizona Strip fire staff will monitor on-site weather and fuel conditions and manage prescribed fire activity, before, during and after ignition operations.
Signs will be posted near the areas to be burned to notify the public.
Iron County
In late January, fire personnel from the BLM and Utah’s Division of Forestry Fire and State Lands will begin burning multiple slash piles near the Cedar Highlands community in Iron County.
Burning the slash piles near Cedar Highlands will also complete the fuel break located just downhill and west of the community.
South of Beaver
Also in late January, fire personnel from the BLM Color Country District will begin burning multiple slash piles on public lands west of Interstate 15 and five miles south of Beaver, Utah.
Resources
- Additional prescribed fire information is available online
- For information, contact Nick Howell at 435-865-3026 or Paul Briggs at 435-865-3002.
- Federal Information Relay Service available at 1-800-877-8339 to leave a message or question for the above individual. Replies are provided during normal business hours.
Related posts
- North Zone fire managers plan additional pile burns
- Commission puts hold on prescribed burns; US Forest Service cooperates
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