BLM to Conduct Hadsell Watershed Prescribed Burn
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The Bureau of Land Management Wind River/Bighorn Basin District will conduct a prescribed burn along the foothills of the south side of Green Mountain in an area known as the Hadsell Pasture, north and east of Crooks Creek. The burn is expected to begin in mid to late November, contingent on weather conditions.
The prescribed burn will occur within a total project area of approximately 8,900 acres, with an objective of burning approximately 200-300 acres of BLM and State of Wyoming lands during fall 2016 when conditions are suitable for controlled burning.
This fall’s burn is expected to last 4-5 days. Smoke on the mountain may be visible from the Jeffrey City, Bairoil and Muddy Gap areas.
According to BLM Natural Resource Specialist Tim Kramer, prescribed burns can reduce a hazardous build-up of natural fuels in an effective and cost efficient manner and therefore lessen the probability of a severe wildfire.
“A build-up of natural fuels can make the spread of fire difficult to control,” Kramer said. “Implemented under the controlled prescribed fire periods of spring and late fall, this prescribed burn will help firefighters prevent the spread of wildfire into dense lodgepole pine stands on top of Green Mountain, protect oil and gas infrastructure and reduce fuels in the vicinity of vacation cabins and ranch structures. The treatment will also enable us to safely use existing two-track roads as anchor points to stop the spread of wildfire to the north and east.”
An added benefit of the prescribed burn will be the improvement of aspen stands and mountain shrub habitat which are critical for species such as pronghorn, mule deer, Greater Sage-Grouse and other birds including Sage Thrasher, Brewer's Sparrow and Sage Sparrow.
The project is a cooperative effort involving the BLM, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Wyoming State Lands Board and grazing permittees.
For more information contact Kramer at 307-332-8431.
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.