Spring burns planned

The Superior Ranger District is planning spring burning for 2011. The district would like to burn as many of these areas as possible, but ignition at a specific site will take place only if funding is available and when operational safety, air quality, weather and fuel moisture conditions are favorable.

Ecosystem Management Burns may occur in the following areas: Mayo Gulch, Keith Wolf, Tamarack Hill, Tamarack Creek, Flat Rock Creek, Second Creek, Eddy Creek, and Cedar Creek.

These understory burns will reintroduce low intensity surface fire to the ecosystem, reduce surface fuel concentrations, kill shrubs to enhance available wildlife forage, promote restoration of ponderosa pine forests, and rejuvenate forest floor vegetation.

Slash burns may occur in the following areas: Little Joe Creek, Sloway Gulch, Rock Creek, and behind Savenac Nursery. These burns are designed to clean up logging debris and prepare the site for tree planting or natural regeneration.

Burns will be conducted when fuel conditions are favorable for meeting objectives and when weather is favorable for contolling the burn and limiting smoke impacts to the public. Ignition will be done by hand or aerially with a helicopter and helitorch. Some of the burns may occur over multiple days.

For more information, please contact the Superior Ranger District at (406) 822-4233.