Montpelier, ID— Beginning this week, the Montpelier Ranger
District will begin prescribed burn operations in the Self Help area
approximately seven miles east of Preston, Idaho. The project is expected to
finish up the first of October. The district hopes to treat approximately 1,296
acres to reduce the amount of dense maple cover, fuel loading and regenerate
existing aspen stand by mimicking a mixed severity fire.
This proposed activity is occurring in the fall when ground
moisture is high and fire danger is low. Prescribed burning allows fire
manager the opportunity to control the pace at which they ignite material and
carefully consider current and predicted weather during operations. Operation
strategies are dynamic and may adjust or stop all together should ground
conditions change.
“We do anticipate the prescribed fire to produce minimal smoke in
the surrounding areas,” said District Ranger Mike Duncan. “The public may at
times also see isolated single-tree torching, however, this is normal fire
behavior and is what we expect.” Firefighters have prepared the area to reduce
the potential for an escaped burn by constructing fuel breaks along the unit
perimeter and hand thinning other areas.
If weather conditions do not allow for ignition, the Forest
Service will continue to monitor for an extended clear weather pattern that
will meet the combination of fuel moisture, temperature, wind, and smoke
dispersal conditions necessary for a successful prescribed burn.
For more information
contact the Montpelier Ranger District at 208-847-0375.
