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March 12, 2009 Contact:     Lesley A. Collins     307-261-7603 Casper Field Office Plans  Prescribed Burns The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Casper Field Office plans to conduct prescribed burns in Natrona and Converse counties when favorable weather and fuel conditions exist. BLM may initiate the burns as soon as April 2009, and continue throughout the spring, summer, and fall as conditions permit. Natrona County Muddy Mountain Forest Health – Treat approximately 10 acres of slash piles created from forest health management activities in the Muddy Mountain environmental education area south of Casper. The goals of this project are to improve the health and age class diversity of lodgepole pine communities as well as reduce hazardous fuel loadings adjacent to developed recreational sites. The prescribed fire plan for slash pile burning in the Muddy Mountain area requires snow cover and/or wet fuel conditions. Bathtub Springs – Treat approximately 400 acres of big sagebrush-grasslands and aspen woodlands with prescribed fire about 70 miles west-northwest of Casper and 10 miles north of Arminto on the Clear Creek grazing allotment. The goals are to improve big game habitat, improve forest health in aspen woodlands and associated big sagebrush-grassland communities, and improve forage base for livestock. Converse County Esterbrook – Treat approximately 10 acres of activity fuels located west of the community of Esterbrook. The objectives of the prescribed fire are to improve fuel breaks adjacent to private property and promote forest health. All prescribed burn projects will be conducted in accordance with approved burn plans when favorable weather, smoke, and fuel conditions permit. For more information, please contact Kristi Bulock or George Soehn at (307) 261-7600.  The BLM manages more land – 258 million acres – than any other Federal agency.  This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western States, including Alaska.  The Bureau, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation.  The BLM’s multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.  The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands. - BLM -