MOOSE, Wyo. — Starting this week, Teton Interagency Fire crews will burn piles created from fuel reduction projects in Grand Teton National Park (GTNP).
Fuel reduction burns are planned near Bar BC Ranch, Colter Bay, Elk Ranch Flats, Beaver Creek and Grassy Island. Smoke might be visible from these piles during the day of ignition and could linger in the area for a few days.
Fire managers said in a statement that pile burning could continue over the next several months, depending upon the weather. According to GTNP, it is difficult to predict when the burning will occur because reduction piles are only ignited under favorable conditions to limit the chance of fire spread.
“Firefighters have focused on fuel reduction efforts in developed areas to reduce wildfire risk, and pile burning is the last step in the thinning process,” GTNP said in the announcement.
The National Park Service said that fuel reduction includes thinning and removing lower limbs from trees and the removal of dead wood and brush from the forest floor. Firefighters then place the wood and brush into pyramid-shaped piles and let them cure for a year before burning them. Firefighters will burn the piles under low fire behavior conditions resulting from wet weather and snow accumulation.
According to GTNP, fire management staff will monitor the piles to assure complete combustion and consumption of all fuels and to assess conditions. If smoke lingers, signs will be posted along roadsides to remind drivers to use headlights for safer travel.
“Public and firefighter safety is always the priority in all burn operations,” GTNP said.
Teton Interagency Fire has more information about area fire management and pile burning.
