JACKSON, Wyo. — Firefighters from Bridger-Teton National Forest (BTNF) will be burning slash piles throughout Wednesday morning, Oct. 18, on Shadow Mountain, the agency announced via Facebook.
BTNF is asking drivers to use caution on the roads in the area and says there might be visible smoke in the area, “please do not report,” BTNF said.
The project is part of a larger pile-burning project currently underway in the Blackrock and Jackson Ranger Districts. A total of 277 acres of hand piles will be burned throughout the next few months, weather permitting.
Burn units run from Phillips Bench and south to the Forest Service administration site at Cottonwood. Other miscellaneous piles include the Blackrock Administration Site, Bryan Flats Administration Site, Alkali Creek and Goosewing Guard station in the Gros Ventre, Shadow Mountain and the Turpin Meadows Ranch groomed ski trails.
Implementation will be dependent on weather conditions and resource availability and it is anticipated that the pile burning will take multiple days to complete. Firefighters will monitor the piles during and after ignition until they are declared out.
The piles may smolder and burn for several days after ignition, producing smoke. Smoke impacts are expected to be minimal; all efforts will be made to limit smoke impacts to surrounding communities.
“The possibility exists for smoke to settle in low-lying areas overnight. Residents in areas near burn operations are encouraged to close windows at night to avoid possible smoke impacts,” BTNF said. “When driving in smoky areas, drivers should slow down and turn on headlights.”
The project areas will be clearly marked with signage. No road closures or delays are anticipated.
