The BLM Is Constructing Fuel Breaks Along Roads In The Vicinity of William Stock Allotment
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WINNEMUCCA, Nev. – The Winnemucca BLM District Division of Fire Management is constructing fuel breaks along roads in the Owyhee Desert. The goal is to decrease hazardous fuel loading adjacent to roads on roughly 4,900 acres. The fuel breaks will be in the William Stock allotment roughly 10 miles NE of Paradise along approximately 60 miles of roads. The project will be conducted over a three-year period from September through February yearly.
Due to past fire history, drought and invasive weeds, vegetation in the area is susceptible to wildfire. “Reducing fuel loading adjacent to roadways will decrease wildfire intensity, allowing for greater chances of suppression success. In conjunction with reducing fuels, improvements to the existing road footprint(s) will allow for quicker, safer and more efficient fire suppression equipment access and in turn will add to public safety,” said Humboldt River Field Office Manager, Katherine Farrell.
Fuel breaks will be approximately 300 feet (150 feet on each side of the road). A tractor with deck mower will reduce vegetation height. Disking treatment, seeding treatment, and herbicide application may also be used to control invasive vegetation. Heavy equipment will be used for improving access for fire suppression.
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.