Bridger-Teton plans 2,000 acre Prescribed Burn
Habitat Improvement project in the Greys River drainage this fall
by Bridger-Teton National Forest
September 13, 2007
The Bridger-Teton National Forest plans to conduct a prescribed burn in the Weiner Creek area this fall. The 2000-acre Weiner Creek burn unit is located off the Greys River Road approximately 10-miles south of Alpine and includes parts of Weiner Creek and the North Fork of Murphy Creek drainages.
This fire is a cooperative project supported by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. The project will treat aspen and sagebrush stands to improve structural diversity and plant vigor.
The primary purpose for this burn is to improve vegetation diversity and wildlife habitat. An additional benefit will be reduction in hazardous fuels, which will improve management of future wildland fires. Prescribed fire will rejuvenate stagnant, decadent, and encroached sagebrush and aspen stands, which will improve wildlife habitat.
This project is expected to be carried out between late September and early October. Actual ignition will be dependent on meeting strict parameters for weather and fire behavior conditions. Both hand ignition and aerial ignitions with a helicopter will be utilized. Forest users may experience temporary smoky conditions in the vicinity of the burn unit, along with the possibility of occasional, short-term trail or road closures. Interagency fire managers will attempt to minimize any adverse impacts as the burn proceeds.
For further information please contact the Greys River Ranger District at (307) 886-5300.
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