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BLM to conduct pile burns across south eastern Idaho

Idaho
Idaho Falls DO
Media Contact

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho - The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Idaho Falls District plans to conduct several prescribed pile burns during fall and early winter 2024. These operations involve igniting accumulated vegetation debris, known as "piles," resulting from previous mechanical fuel treatments. The primary goal is to reduce fuel loads by over 90%, thereby mitigating wildfire risks and enhancing ecosystem health. Smoke from these prescribed burns has the potential to be visible from considerable distances due to the project locations, vegetation types and burning conditions.

Scheduled Pile Burns:

  • Bayhorse Area: Approximately 50 acres of hand-constructed piles located south and west of Challis, Idaho. Ignitions will occur over multiple days following significant moisture in the area. The objective is to decrease fuel accumulation and wildfire risk in the Bayhorse Wildland-Urban Interface.
  • North and Sublette Canyons: Around 45 acres of machine-constructed piles situated west of Malad, Idaho. Burning will commence over several days once snow covers the project area. The aims are to eliminate slash piles from logging activities, improve wildlife habitat, and reduce conifer encroachment in the Pleasant View range.
  • Shotgun Valley: Approximately 221 acres of slash piles from logging operations near Dubois, Idaho. Ignitions will span multiple days after snow accumulation. The goal is to lower fuel loads and slash within the burn unit, reducing wildfire risk for the upcoming summer.

Each prescribed burn is expected to last up to four days, with personnel and equipment monitoring the area for an additional five days to prevent unintended fire spread. Smoke may be visible from considerable distances due to the locations, vegetation types, and burning conditions.

Additional unscheduled pile burns may occur during this period if weather, fuel, and staffing conditions are favorable.

For more information, please contact the BLM Idaho Falls District office at 208-524-7500.

-BLM-

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.