UNITED STATES — As the American West braces for yet another summer of high wildland fire danger, U.S. Forest Service Chief Randy Moore announced a pause on all prescribed fire operations on National Forest System Lands until the fall.
Citing extreme wildfire risk conditions in the field, he initiated the pause on prescribed fire operations at the end of May. In the meantime, the Service will conduct a 90-day review of protocols, decision support tools and practices ahead of planned operations in September.
“Wildfires are increasingly extreme because of climate change, drought and dry fuels across many parts of the country,” said Moore. “Prescribed burn operations are essential tools managers need to protect communities and first responders, improve forest conditions and reduce the threat of extreme fires.”
In mid-May Teton Interagency Fire resources on the Jackson Ranger District started ignitions on Mosquito Creek Road. However, field conditions were wetter than anticipated and only 15 acres were burned. Now, with the pause on prescribed burns the burn will not continue. Crews had planned to target approximately 100 acres for treatment.
The Forest Service oversees the nation’s largest prescribed fire program and safely conducts an average of 4,500 prescribed fire projects annually, treating more than 1,400,000 acres of National Forest System lands.
To read the Chief Moore’s full statement about the pause of prescribed burns, click here.
