AFTON, Wyo. — The Greys River Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest (BTNF) announced on Wednesday, Sept. 25 its plan to burn 1,852-acres in the Star Valley Front Vegetation Project, which is a unit of 31,477-acres located between Afton and Grover, Wyoming. The Star Valley Front Vegetation project extends from Strawberry Creek south to Cottonwood Creek, from the forest boundary to the top of the Salt River Range.
According to BTNF, the main purpose for treating vegetation in the Star Valley Front Project Area is to help restore a balance of age classes in mountain shrub land, mountain big sagebrush, aspen and conifer communities. The prescribe burn will rejuvenate shrubs and aspen trees on mule deer and elk winter range.
The prescribed fires will also remove fuel, including canopy cover of conifer trees in mountain shrub land, big sagebrush and aspen, to reduce the extent and severity of future wildfire.
The Star Valley Front Unit 2 two is comprised of two different burn units, Unit 2A (1,752 acres) and Unit 2B (3,483 acres). Unit 2A is comprised of the southeast facing slopes visible from Swift Creek. Unit 2B consists of timber, grass and mountain brush. Each burn unit will have a different implementation schedule.
This project is expected to be carried from late September through November. Actual ignition dates will be dependent upon weather and fire behavior conditions.
The communities of Afton and Grover, as well as Forest visitors camping and recreating in the area, could experience short term smokey conditions in the vicinity of the burn unit during ignition operations. Roads and trails should remain open to the public, however certain areas could be closed for a short period of time.
