BLM Pinedale field office to conduct prescribed burns

PINEDALE, Wyo. — There is the potential for the Bureau of Land Management to conduct prescribed burns on multiple lands managed by the Pinedale Field Office and agency partners this fall and winter. This is contingent upon fuel moisture and weather meeting optimal burn conditions. The treatments will only be implemented if specified prescription parameters are obtained.

The prescribed burning of piles will dispose of slash from the following projects: 

• New Fork Fuels Treatment: The New Fork pile is located on a small, isolated parcel of BLM administered land to the southwest of New Fork Lake in Sublette County, Wyo., one mile southwest of New Fork Lake off the New Fork Lake Rd. A total of 17 acres of hand and machine piles will be targeted this year. This project reduces hazardous fuels, increases forest health, and provided firewood to the public through BLM firewood gathering permits.
• Deadline Ridge Fuels Treatment: The entire Deadline Ridge project is in Sublette County, Wyo., approximately 11 miles northwest of La Barge, Wyo. There are nine targeted units located between Beaver Dam Creek and South Fork Dry Piney Creek on the east slope of Deadline Ridge. In total, 129 acres are targeted for ignition and consist of hand created slash piles. The treatment will stimulate aspen growth and available forage for big game in critical migration corridors and reduce hazardous fuels on the landscape.
• Burdick Fuels Treatment: The Burdick project is in Lincoln County, WY, approximately 10 miles west of La Barge, Wyo. The project is on the northern portion of Miller Mountain, near the head of Burdick Creek drainage. The 203 acres of hand created slash piles will be targeted for ignitions. The treatment will stimulate aspen growth and available forage for big game in critical migration corridors and reduce hazardous fuels on the landscape.

Prescribed burns conducted by the BLM follow strict approval, permitting and environmental review processes. Each project includes design features and mitigation measures to meet treatment goals while limiting impacts to other resources. Every burn is carried out under a detailed prescribed fire plan, with public and firefighter safety as the top priority. While no vegetation treatment is risk-free, the planning process works to reduce risk as much as possible. High Desert District fire and fuels crews may also assist partner agencies and landowners with additional treatments.

During operations, smoke may be visible from long distances but should clear quickly, depending on weather, fuel conditions and the amount of material being treated. Hunters, recreationists and other public land users should be aware of project locations and ongoing prescribed fire activity.

For more information, contact either Pinedale Field Office Fuels Specialist Ross Dary at (307) 231-5935 or HDD Fire Management Officer Mark Randall at (307) 367-5350. For more information, follow BLM Wyoming on social media (X or Facebook).