Crystal Springs pile burning planned
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LAVA HOT SPRINGS, Idaho – With the anticipated arrival of moisture in eastern Idaho, the Bureau of Land Management Idaho Falls District will begin prescribed burn activities. The Crystal Springs prescribed fire will be conducted about 1.5 miles north of Lava Hot Springs this week. It may occur over multiple days as weather allows.
The project area is within the wildland urban interface, where public lands meet urban development. The goal of the project is to break up continuous juniper stands to reduce the severity of a potential wildfire in that vicinity. About 25 acres of BLM lands were hand-thinned by firefighters using chainsaws. They piled the slash and will now ignite each pile individually.
Public and firefighter safety is always the first priority in all public land fire operations. Fire managers develop burn plans that consider safety, specific fuel and weather prescriptions, and smoke management. All prescribed burns are closely evaluated and are approved only when conditions are favorable.
Prescribed burns may impact individuals who are sensitive to smoke. Recreationists should use caution near prescribed fire areas and comply with any closures that may be put in place temporarily to protect public health and safety in areas immediately within or adjacent to burning operations. Signs will be posted in advance of ignitions and remain in place until operations are completed.
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.