Prescribed burns to take place in Beaver, Iron counties

BEAVER COUNTY – In preparation for an 8,000-acre prescribed fire planned for the summer of 2012, Bureau of Land Management, Color Country District fire crews will be burning control lines throughout this week beginning Tuesday, April 24, possibly extending into the weekend.

This project is designed to remove encroaching vegetation by reintroducing fire to the landscape. The project will also reduce the threat of wildfire to communities in Beaver County.  The burn will also improve wildlife habitat, restore watershed health, and will provide for firefighter and public safety in the event of a wildfire.

Weather permitting, fire crews will use hand ignition techniques to conduct what is often referred to as “black-lining.”  This common practice creates fire control lines around the perimeter of a planned treatment area.  Control lines created will consist of a 60-foot to 100-foot wide line of blackened vegetation, totaling 100 acres.  The area inside these control lines will then be burned later in the summer months when management objectives can be met effectively.

Multiple ignitions and smoke will be seen on the Greenville Bench in Beaver County, Utah, approximately six miles southwest of Beaver, starting south of Minersville Reservoir Dam, continuing east into the existing burn area, and ending south toward Rocky Ford Hollow.  Planned prescribed fire operations may be postponed or canceled due to unfavorable weather conditions.

Prescribed fire projects will be conducted in a manner consistent with land and resource management plans, public health considerations, and approved prescribed fire and smoke plans. Citizens can expect to see smoke from various road systems in Iron and Beaver Counties, and could potentially experience reduced visibility along public-use roads nearby the burn area.  Smoke may also be present for several days following ignition.

To ensure the safety of fire personnel and the public, access will be restricted on BLM roads within the burn area during ignition.  Prescribed fire signs will be posted on ignition days to alert motorists on I-15, SR-21 and SR-130.

For additional prescribed fire information please visit website www.utahfireinfo.gov and/or follow us on Twitter @UtahWildfire.

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