Boise National Forest Begin Prescribed Fires

Boise National Forest is planning prescribed fire operations this month. We estimate this work to continue through the spring as weather conditions allow. We use prescribed fires to help reduce overgrown vegetation to help protect local communities, infrastructure and natural resources from wildfires.

Prescribed fires planned for the area include:

• Cottonwood III (218 acres): 15 mi. NE of Boise along Road 377, near Cottonwood Guard Station.
• Alder (517 acres): 2 mi. north of Placerville off Road 605.
• Little Ophir (268 acres): 2 mi. north of Centerville off Road 382.
• Mores South (1,111 acres): 4 mi. east of Idaho City.
• Lick Creek (583 acres): 1 mi. NE of Lowan off Road 558.
• Clear Creek Units 6-8 (360 acres): 3 mi. NE of Lowman off Road 582.
• Clear Creek Units 9, 12, 13 (347 acres): 5 mi. NE of Lowman off Road 582.
• High Fork (728 acres): 6 mi. NE of Ola, just north of High Valley.
• Cotton (314 acres): 10.5 mi. NE of Ola, near Sage Hen Reservoir.
• Fawn Tussock (236 acres): 6 mi. SW of Cascade on West Mountain near Brush and Olson creeks.

Those areas may close to the public for several days for public safety. Watch for warning signs along roads near all prescribed fire areas before and during burns. 

Residents may experience smoke during the prescribed burns. Go to www.airnow.gov to find more detailed information about air quality. When driving, slow down and turn on your headlights when you encounter smoke on the road.

We will evaluate weather conditions in the hours before a burn begins. If conditions warrant, scheduled prescribed fire activities may be canceled.

Stay informed about the scheduled prescribed fires through the forest website, social media channels, and the Boise National Forest Rx Fire Project Dashboard. We will notify county emergency management officials when burning begins. 

About the Forest Service: The USDA Forest Service has for more than 100 years brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology– and rooted in communities–the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.

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