Prescribed burns start today
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April 25, 2013 |
The Idaho Panhandle National Forest plans to
initiate their annual prescribed fire program
starting today and continue into the following
weeks.
Prescribed burning is used to reduce dead and
down fuels, selectively thin understory trees in
dense forested stands, stimulate fire resistant
plant species, enhance forage and browse, reduce
the risk of large stand-replacement fires, and
restore fire under controlled conditions as a
disturbance factor in these landscapes.
Prescribed fire managers are planning to
implement hazardous fuel reduction burns,
weather and conditions permitting, at the
following project sites in the Bonners Ferry
Ranger District:
Stampede Sale Area (200 acres): Near Stampede
Lake and the community of Naples.
Borderline Stew Sale Area (30 acres):
Approximately 20 miles North of Bonners Ferry on
Highway 95.
Ruby Copper Sale Area (20 acres): Approximately
31 miles North of Bonners Ferry on Highway 95.
Actual acres within each project area may vary
dependent upon fuel conditions, smoke
dispersion, wind patterns, and other variables.
The exact timing of these planned burns is
unknown as prescribed burning is dependent on
weather conditions, fuel moisture and smoke
dispersion criteria.
Up to 12,000 acres of national forest system
lands in north Idaho could be burned this spring
and fall depending on conditions.
“Prescribed fire plays an important ecological
role in providing great benefits to forest
health,” said Forest Supervisor Mary Farnsworth.
“Prescribed burning will reduce wildfire risks
for local communities, while improving wildlife
habitat and restoring the forest’s resiliency to
threats such as uncharacteristic fires, insects
and disease.”
Active burning will occur for a period of two to
three days, with smoldering fire afterward until
rains extinguish the fires. Burn areas can pose
very hazardous conditions such as rapid and
unpredictable spreading of flames, falling
trees, heavy smoke and limited visibility, and
rolling rocks and logs.
Prescribed fire areas can be dangerous and
members of the public are urged to stay away
from these areas during burning operations and
for a few days afterward.
If you plan on recreating or hunting in these
project areas make sure you understand your
location relative to the burn units. If you find
yourself in an active burn area, you should
travel downslope or away from the predominant
path of flames, because fire typically burns
fastest upslope.
When burn dates or date ranges are forecasted,
signs will be posted along access roads and near
affected trailheads and trail junctions.
Temporary access restrictions or closures may be
utilized if deemed necessary for public safety.
Prescribed burns, especially those within areas
that contain a high volume of vegetation, often
produce large amounts of smoke.
The Idaho Panhandle National Forests is a member
of the Montana/Idaho Airshed Group, which
monitors and limits the accumulation of smoke
from controlled burns through scientific
monitoring of weather conditions and formal
coordination of burns. People with respiratory
problems and those sensitive to smoke may want
to avoid these areas during burning operations.
A complete list of planned prescribed fires
including contact information and planned fire
locations is available online at
http://www.northidahorxfire.com or on the
Idaho Panhandle National Forests website.
Prescribed fire information will also be
maintained on a prescribed fire hotline at
1-800-232-FIRE. |
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