BLM ISSUES BIG POLE FIRE MOTOR VEHICLE CLOSURE
Post Wildfire Rehabilitation Efforts Continue, Travel Restrictions Implemented to Aid Recovery Success
The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) West Desert District is giving notice restricting motor vehicle access and use on public lands east of State Route 196, south of I-80, west of the crest of the Stansbury Mountain range, and north of the Skull Valley Goshute Indian Reservation in Tooele County. Motorized vehicle use will be temporarily restricted for at least 2 years to allow for successful wildland fire recovery efforts. The restricted area contains approximately 27,100 acres that burned during the Big Pole Fire incident in August 2009. This closure does not restrict public access to the area by means other than motorized vehicles.
“Public participation respecting motor vehicle travel restrictions is essential to the success of rehabilitation efforts,” stressed West Desert District Manager, Glenn Carpenter. “Those who drive into the burned areas could jeopardize the efforts to stabilize soils.” Emergency stabilization steps, such as travel restrictions, require an effort between the BLM and land users to protect and preserve public lands for future generations.
Resource specialists are concerned about damage to soil, watershed, vegetation, and cultural resources from motorized traffic on sensitive burned areas. Motorized traffic may damage unburned plant material while creating ruts where water will flow, resulting in a loss of precious topsoil.
The BLM will post closure signs at all vehicle entry points, and law enforcement will regularly patrol the area. For maps and additional information, click on the links to the right or contact the BLM Salt Lake Field Office, 2370 South 2300 West, Salt Lake City UT 84119; Phone: 801.977.4300.
BLM offers cash rewards up to $250 for information leading to the arrest or conviction of any person(s) violating motor vehicle restrictions or damaging BLM signs.
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