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BLM and partners to improve wildlife habitat and protect Casper Mountain with prescribed fire

Organization

BLM Wyoming

BLM Office:

High Plains District Office

Media Contact:

CASPER, Wyo. – The BLM- in participation with partners at the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Office of State Lands and Investments, Wyoming State Forestry and private landowners- will improve winter range for big game animals 15 miles southwest of Casper with prescribed fire beginning on May 7, as part of its objective to manage public lands for the benefit of current and future generations as it pursues its multiple-use mission.  In addition to habitat improvement, this prescribed fire will help to protect Casper Mountain and Muddy Mountain from catastrophic fires in the future. 

To achieve the goals, firefighters will ignite the 473 acre treatment area under controlled conditions with helicopters and by hand.  The ignition phase could take several days to complete.  Once ignitions are complete, the firefighters will closely monitor the progress of the fire to ensure that it remains within the treatment area as well as ensuring that it is meeting its goals.  Smoke will likely be visible from Casper and the surrounding areas for several days.

In addition to the partners on the burn, other organizations contributed funds to make this project a reality.  Funding contributors for this project include the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust, the National Wild Turkey Federation and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

For questions regarding prescribed fire, contact Craig Short at (307) 261-7698.  Members of the public with wildlife questions related to this project can contact Jim Wright at (307) 261-7506

The BLM manages more than 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.