1000 Acres Treated in Two Weeks
Incident: Wolf Mountain Prescribed Fire
Released: 10/8/2008
Prescribed burning has treated about 1000 acres in the last two weeks in the Corral Creek area of the Wolf Mountains, east of Lodge Grass. After thorough preparation, about 300 acres were lit by a helicopter Thursday, September 18th, and by hand igniters the next day. Work has progressed through today, when low-intensity fire restored 210 more acres of the area's ponderosa forest.
By clearing brush and shrubs, prescribed fires help to prevent a future conflagration. Before European settlement, fires on the forest floor visited these mountains every ten to twenty years, clearing forest floor debris without harming large trees. Heavy dead timber will continue smoking until snow falls, but each night's dew chills the fire, which will remain within treated areas.
This was a milestone fire: the first aerial ignition of a prescribed fire by the Bureau of Indian Affairs in the Rocky Mountain and Great Plains regions.
The objectives of the operations included firefighter and public safety, reducing hazardous fuels accumulation, and clearing brush to increase wildlife habitat and forage. Crow Agency BIA Forestry prepared a 105-page plan to conduct these prescribed burns. Each burn plan is specific to the fuels and landscape that is proposed for treatment, and firefighters train on each incident to further their skills.
Before operations go forward, current and predicted weather must fall within the prescription for a fire that is neither too mild nor too intense. About 25 BIA firefighters were prepared to hold the line on four separate days when relative humidities were too low to risk lighting many acres of fire. Even after this weekend's predicted snow, conditions may stay conducive for burning some denser areas.
Photos of prescribed burning work are available by searching the internet for "wolf mountain prescribed fire."
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