AFTON, Wyo. — The Greys River Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest announced today, March 31, plans to begin ignition operations on the Bug Creek burn as soon as April 5, 2021.
The prescribed burn area is approximately 30 miles southeast of Alpine near the junction of the Grey’s River and Sheep Creek. The 418-acre unit is comprised of grass, sage, conifer, and aspen stands.
According to the Forest Service, the Bug Creek prescribed burn is designed to restore native grasses, willow, and aspen stands on the south-facing slopes at the mouth of Bug Creek by removing overgrown and encroaching conifer stands along with dead and down material.
The burn is meant to improve the quality of transition range and calving habitat for elk and mule deer by restoring grasses and shrubs to areas now dominated by sage and conifer. The project also hopes to improve and increase forage for livestock and reduce fuel loading, helping to minimize the impacts of any future wildfires in the area. According to the Forest Service, “it is anticipated that 40-60% of the project area will be burned to achieve these goals.”
Due to fuel moisture, expected weather, and snowmelt the expected window to begin ignitions is anytime from April 5th through early May. Ignition operations are expected to take place over one to two days as conditions permit.
Due to the remote location of the burn and the short duration of firing operations, it is not anticipated that there will be any smoke impacts to local communities. Visitors to the area are encouraged to use caution and avoid areas where burn operations are taking place.
For further information please contact the Greys River Ranger District at (307) 886-5300 or visit the website.
