Public is asked to prevent resource damage after Banjo Fire
Organization
BLM Office:
Media Contact:
WORLAND, Wyo. – As part of the Bureau of Land Management’s mission to keep public landscapes healthy and productive for the benefit of wildlife, recreational opportunities and many other resources and uses, the Worland Field Office is asking for assistance to prevent permanent damage to public lands burned by wildfires this summer.
The Banjo Fire, located 2.5 miles east of Worland, burned 3,366 acres in July. While suppressing the fire, firefighters accessed these lands with fire engines and other motorized vehicles.
“The suppression actions unavoidably left vehicle tracks on the landscape,” said BLM Worland Field Manager Mike Phillips. “Once present, it’s tempting for others to follow the tracks, but repeated vehicle use can turn the tracks into permanent scars on the landscape.”
With hunting season and other fall recreational activities on the horizon, it is imperative that people travel only on existing roads in any burned area and avoid driving in the tracks left behind by firefighters. As a reminder, driving off roads to retrieve game is only permissible within 300 feet of a road and only when no resource damage will occur. Resource damage includes degrading soil, damaging vegetation or archaeological sites, or creating ruts when driving on wet soils. Otherwise, off-road or cross-country travel is not permitted.
Stabilization and rehabilitation efforts will soon be underway in the Banjo Fire area. Rehabilitation may include seeding, installing water bars, and pulling vegetation and debris back into cleared routes to help stabilize soils and discourage vehicle use.
Public participation in the rehabilitation effort is encouraged. The first participation opportunity will be a seed-collection project on Sept. 30 to celebrate National Public Lands Day. For further information, contact the BLM Worland Field Office at 307-578-5900.
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.