KEMMERER, Wyo. — The Kemmerer Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest (BTNF) is planning multiple prescribed burns throughout this spring.

The burns could begin as early as late May and may be implemented at any time until mid-July, according to the BTNF. Smoke impacts should remain minimal due to the short duration of the burns and remote location.

The anticipated schedule is below:

  • Late May: Basin Creek prescribed fire is a 27-acre unit located off forest road 10062, near Basin Creek, approximately three miles east of Kelly Guard Station.
  • Late May: Nugent prescribed fire is a 68-acre unit located in the vicinity of Turnip Ridge.
  • Late May: Hams Fork Unit 6 and Unit 8 total 200 acres of broadcast burning located near Green Knoll.

All these units are within the Hams Fork Vegetation Project area. This is a multi-unit area covering approximately 74,267 acres.

BTNF says the goal is to develop a diverse mix of vegetation, reduce fuel loading to help minimize the intensity of future wildland fires and stimulate the regeneration of aspen stands by reducing conifer encroachment. This will be accomplished through a variety of methods including timber sales, prescribed fire, pile burning and mechanical treatments.

Prescribed fires are managed under a precise set of parameters know as a “prescriptions” which include overall project objectives, temperature, wind speed and direction, relative humidity, current and expected forecast and fuel conditions, as well as available firefighting resources and time of season. Before burning, fire managers ensure that all the parameters are within their prescribed fire plan so the operations can be conducted safely, and objectives can be met.

Fire management personnel will utilize both ground and aviation resources to safely conduct these prescribed fire operations. Fire managers will be coordinating with Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality and will monitor weather conditions closely in the days prior to and during the prescribe fire ignitions.

Firefighters will continue to work in the area several days after ignitions to patrol and manage for public safety.

For more information, contact the Kemmerer Ranger District at (307) 828-5100.