Beginning May 17, U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service fire staff plan to take advantage of windows of opportunity to conduct a cumulative 978 acres of prescribed burns on the Pole Mountain unit of the Medicine Bow National Forest. Daily decisions to burn will be dependent on fuel and weather condition alignment.

If conditions are favorable, burning could take place at multiple locations this spring and summer. For the most up-to-date information pertaining to exact dates, times and locations, follow the Medicine Bow National Forest official social media pages: @FS_MBRTB on Twitter or @FSMBRTB on Facebook.

“As part of our continued effort to manage all aspects of Pole Mountain,” said District Ranger Frank Romero, “I am pleased to share that we will continue vegetation management by implementing another season of prescribed burning. This burn will reduce fuel while increasing foraging habitat.”

The work is part of the ongoing Pole Mountain Vegetation Project in eastern Albany County that began in 2014. Nearly 9,000 acres were authorized to be treated over a period of approximately 10 years, with the goal being the return to a resilient, diverse, and historically healthy forest.

Smoke from the burns will likely be visible to the public from Interstate 80, Happy Jack Highway (WY Highway 210), and nearby forest roads. Signs will be placed on adjacent Forest Roads notifying the public of the burns as necessary. Fire staff from the Forest Service will continue to monitor the burned areas following the operations.

Staff will primarily use drip torches to carry out the burning. For safety and effectiveness, operations will not be initialized if weather conditions are unfavorable. Necessary smoke permits will be obtained from the State of Wyoming and adhered to throughout the project.

Prescribed burning is a versatile forest management tool that can mimic historically natural fire disturbances, improve habitat for a variety of wildlife, and reduce hazardous fuels buildup. Minimal and managed smoke from prescribed fires now helps prevent the potential for more unpredictable and hazardous wildfire smoke in the future.

For more information, contact Deputy Fire Staff Jeramy Dietz, (307) 745-2358. More information on prescribed burn operations can also be found on our website or social media channels: @FS_MBRTB on Twitter or @FSMBRTB on Facebook.