Prescribed burns scheduled

SMELTERVILLE - The Coeur d'Alene River Ranger District plans to conduct prescribed burning during the fall of 2011 on national forest system lands in several areas across the district.

The planned fires are part of the larger prescribed fire program designed to reduce hazardous fuels, improve big game habitat and improve forest health.

Up to 4,000 acres of national forest system lands could be burned this fall, primarily in designated roadless areas, such as Lost Creek, Whitetail Creek, Jordan Creek, and West Elk Creek.

Prescribed burning of natural fuels may also occur in the Prichard area, including Trouble Creek and other areas visible from Forest Highway 9.

Although areas will be monitored and inspected prior to ignition, people who frequent these areas, especially hunters, need to use caution. When burn dates are known, signs will be posted along access roads and near trailheads and trail junctions.

Prescribed burning of slash created by harvest operations will occur at a smaller scale, with 150 acres of burning planned in the Prichard, Thompson Pass and Moon Pass areas.

Information: Sarah Jerome, 783-2363