STAR VALLEY, Wyo. — The Greys River Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest plans to implement a prescribed burn, up to 2,000-acres of the Star Valley Front Vegetation Project, between April 30 and May 30.

The Star Valley Front Vegetation project is a 31,477-acre project area that extends from Strawberry Creek south to Cottonwood Creek, from the forest boundary to the top of the Salt River Range. The main purpose for treating vegetation in the Star Valley Front Project Area is to begin restoring a balance of age classes in mountain shrub land, mountain big sagebrush, aspen and conifer communities.

The project also aims to improve the vigor of vegetation on mule deer and elk winter and transition range, which is particularly relevant given the great interest in deer and elk populations in the Star Valley area.

According to the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), the current targeted area is comprised of the southwest facing slopes visible from Afton and Grover, Wyoming, consisting of timber, grass and mountain brush. The larger timber stands in the unit will not be targeted for this burn, but encroaching conifer trees into the mountain shrub land may be burned to reach project objectives.

USFS lists the objectives of the burn as follows:

  • Contribute to a balanced mix of successional stages of major vegetation types
  • Reduce the abundance and canopy cover of conifer trees in mountain shrub land, big sagebrush and aspen types
  • Rejuvenate shrubs and aspen trees, especially on mule deer and elk winter range 
  • Restore fire to its natural role on the landscape
  • Reduce fuel loading on the landscape to reduce the extent and severity of future wildfire, both for firefighter safety and for resource protection

The project is expected to be carried out anytime in the spring between April 30 and May 30, depending on when snow has melted from the south facing slope but still exists in the adjacent fuels surrounding the unit. Resources will use this snow as a holding feature to prevent fire spread outside the unit. Actual ignition dates will be dependent on meeting strict parameters for weather and fire behavior conditions.

The communities of Afton and Grover, as well as Forest visitors camping and recreating in the area, may experience short term smokey conditions in the vicinity of the burn unit during ignition operations. Because the burn will consume primarily fine fuels, the smoke duration will be short lived as the fuels will consume quickly. 

Residents can expect smokey conditions the day of the burn and into the overnight hours. Some smoke may exist the following day but should dissipate considerably thereafter. Roads and trails should remain open to the public, but certain areas may be closed for a short period of time if deemed that public and firefighter safety may be impacted during portions of the burn.

For more information about this project, contact Greys River Ranger District at 307-886-5300.