Landscape Burn Scheduled on the Lochsa/Powell Ranger District
Release Date: Sep 15, 2016
As part of the North Lochsa Face Project, the Lochsa Ranger Station on the Lochsa/Powell Ranger District, is planning a landscape burn in the Middle Butte area north of FS road 483 as early as Friday, September 16, 2016. Roads and trail heads that lead into these areas will be posted with caution signs and a map of the prescribed fire locations.
The prescribed fire treatment will reintroduce fire to the landscape under prescribed conditions, reduce woody fuel loadings which also reduces the potential for large, catastrophic wildfires, and allow vegetation, naturally found in these areas, to return. The prescribed fire treatment is estimated to be 1,000 acres although not every acre will burn.
The prescribed fire treatment will also provide habitat for a variety of wildlife, increase browse for elk, and create snags for cavity nesters.
Smoke from these prescribed fires will be much less than what would be expected from a wildfire. If smoke concentrations affect air quality standards fire ignition may be delayed until air quality improves. Residual smoke may be visible for up to 2 weeks following ignition, but most of the smoke from the fires will dissipate 1-2 days after ignition.
For more information on the location and timing of the prescribed burn please call the Sean Gaines or Neal Cox at 208-926-4274.
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