Bridger-teton Manages Fire in Kemmerer to Improve
Incident: Shingle Mill Wildland Fire Used for Resource Benefit
Released: 9/15/2008
The Kemmerer Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest is managing the 32-acre Shingle Mill Fire to improve the vegetation and Forest health on the District. The Shingle Mill fire is burning in the upper portion of Shingle Mill Creek in the Hams Fork drainage approximately 1 mile southeast of the Elk Guard Station. The fire started from a lightning strike that likely occurred Thursday, September 11 when a weather event moved through the area. There are no structures threatened by the fire.
This fire is being managed to accomplish objectives outlined in the Bridger-Teton National Forest Land & Resource Management Plan, which allow lightning-caused fires to burn within the Forest under strict management conditions and guidelines. Expected benefits from this fire include removal of accumulated ground fuels, improvement of wildlife habitat and fire regime condition class, and maintenance of natural plant succession, all of which are fire-dependant within the Bridger-Teton National Forest. The Shingle Mill Fire will be routinely monitored by air and by ground, and fire management actions will be taken as determined necessary.
The Shingle Mill Fire was reported by the Game and Fish Department this afternoon. The Fire is burning through bug-killed trees and is moving towards the Commissary Ridge area. While no closures are in place as of this afternoon, District Ranger Tracy Hollingshead does suggest visitors use caution when traveling on the Shingle Mill Road. "It would be a good idea for visitors to check with the District Office before heading out there to see if conditions on the ground have changed to a point where we need a temporary closure to provide for public safety," said Hollingshead.
The fire danger for the Forest is listed as Moderate. Fire officials will be flying over the area tomorrow to get an accurate view of the fire and to look for other fires that may have cropped up on the Forest. Residents can expect to see smoke from the Shingle Mountain Fire, especially in the early morning hours in the lower lying areas.
Visit www.fs.fed.us/r4/btnf/fires for more information
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