St. George, Utah – Bureau of Land Management (BLM) fire managers will conduct slash pile burning operations in Paria Canyon, sometime from late October through early November, as part of a larger riparian restoration project.

The fires are expected to occur over the course of several days and will be of short duration. Smoke may be present for short periods of time in this remote area.  Paria Canyon permit holders will be notified in advance of the burn schedule and may request to have their hiking dates rescheduled if impacted by burning operations. 

Exact dates can’t be predicted since prescribed fires must meet certain weather-related and environmental conditions prior to ignition.  BLM fire staff will manage and monitor the prescribed fire activity. Smoke emissions will be managed in accordance with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality regulations.

The riparian restoration project in the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness is being implemented in cooperation with Grand Canyon Trust staff and volunteers. Non-native tamarisk and Russian olive trees are being removed from approximately 19 miles of Paria Canyon to restore natural conditions.  Volunteers cut the vegetation and pile the slash to dry out prior to burning in the spring. Summer floods are expected to wash away any sign of the burn.

For more information, please call the BLM office at 435-688-3200.