BLM to reduce hazardous fuels with prescribed fire in Sweetwater County
ROCK SPRINGS, Wyo. — The Bureau of Land Management High Desert District may conduct prescribed burns this fall and winter on lands managed by the Rock Springs field office, in coordination with associated partners. Treatments will only be implemented when fuel moisture, snow cover and weather conditions meet prescribed parameters.
Slash material left from the following project will be removed by burning piles:
Iron Mountain fuels treatment: The Iron Mountain project area is in Sweetwater County, Wyo., approximately 10 miles north of Dutch John, Utah. Flaming Gorge Reservoir lies east of the units and Little Mountain is north of the target units. The 1,430 acres of hand created slash piles will be targeted for ignitions. The treatment will increase available forage for big game on critical winter range and reduce hazardous fuels on the landscape.
BLM prescribed fire projects follow strict approval, permitting, and environmental review processes. Each project includes specific design features and safety measures to meet treatment goals while minimizing impacts on 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 crews may also assist partner agencies and landowners with additional treatments.
Smoke may be visible from long distances during operations but should clear quickly depending on weather conditions. Hunters, recreationists, and other public land users should remain aware of project locations and ongoing prescribed fire activity.
For more information, contact either HDD Fire Management Officer Mark Randall at (307) 231-9092, or Fuels Specialist Rachele Oman at (307) 352-0287. For updates, follow BLM Wyoming on social media (X or Facebook).
The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.