Ranger district's prescribed burns to start this week
COEUR d'ALENE - The Coeur d'Alene River Ranger District will initiate its annual prescribed fire program starting this week.
The district's prescribed fire managers are planning to implement hazardous fuel reduction burns throughout the spring and fall season, weather and conditions permitting.
Upcoming projects, in the Coeur d'Alene area of the ranger district are:
* Deerfoot Project Area (600 acres): East and northeast of Hayden Lake within the Mokins, Nilson, Two Forks, Three Forks, and Yellowbanks Creek drainages
* Blue Alder Project Area (800 acres): Within the Blue Creek, Wolf Lodge and Alder Creek drainages
The district will conduct additional burning throughout the spring and fall. A complete list of planned prescribed fires including contact information and planned fire locations is available online at www.northidahorxfire.com.
Actual acres within each project area may vary dependent upon fuel conditions, smoke dispersion, wind patterns, and other variables. The exact timing for each planned burn is unknown as prescribed burning is dependent on weather conditions, fuel moisture and smoke dispersion criteria.
"Reintroducing fire to our forests benefits wildlife habitat and improves vegetation structure so that forests are more resilient to potential wildfires," said Coeur d'Alene River District Ranger Chad Hudson. "These burns are also designed to protect homes and infrastructure from the risk of wildfires. Fuel reduction in the spring, when conditions are favorable, could prevent undesirable impacts from wildfires in the summer fire season."
Prescribed burning is used to reduce dead and down fuels, selectively thin understory trees in dense forested stands, stimulate fire resistant plant species, enhance forage and browse for wildlife, reduce the risk of large stand-replacement fires, and restore ecological balance across the landscape so the area becomes more resilient to threats, according to a press release from the Ranger District.
Active burning will occur for a period of two to three days, with smoldering fire afterward until rains extinguish the fires.
Burn areas can pose very hazardous conditions such as rapid and unpredictable spreading of flames, falling trees, heavy smoke and limited visibility, and rolling rocks and logs.
Prescribed fire areas can be dangerous and members of the public are urged to stay away from these areas during burning operations and for a few days afterward.
People recreating or hunting in the project areas should make sure they understand their location relative to the burn units. People wandering into an active burn area should travel downslope or away from the predominant path of flames, because fire typically burns fastest upslope, the release said.
When burn dates or date ranges are forecasted, signs will be posted along access roads and near affected trailheads and trail junctions. Temporary access restrictions or closures may be utilized if deemed necessary for public safety.
Prescribed fire information will also be maintained on a prescribed fire hotline at 1-800-232-FIRE.