Prescribed burns planned across thousands of acres of Dixie National Forest
Broadcast and pile burns near Duck Creek, Pine Valley, Escalante and along state Route 12 could send smoke over southern Utah highways this fall and winter.
Based on reporting by St. George News. Read the original story →
The U.S. Forest Service has started or scheduled a series of prescribed burns on the Dixie National Forest for fall and winter, St. George News reported, citing a Forest Service news release. The agency said the fires reduce overgrown, dead and downed vegetation to lower wildfire risk to communities, infrastructure and natural resources. [1]
The largest broadcast burns are planned in the Cedar City Ranger District, including 2,739 acres at Ikes Valley and 913 acres at Henrie Knolls in the greater Duck Creek area, and in the Powell Ranger District, including Mud Springs and Flake Mountain, according to the report. Pile burns are planned north of Pine Valley in the Pine Valley Ranger District, around Duck Creek, Mammoth Creek and Panguitch Lake, and at several sites in the Escalante Ranger District. [1]
Roads that could see smoke include U.S. 14 and U.S. 89, state Routes 12, 18, 143 and 148, and several forest roads, the report said. The Forest Service asked drivers to slow down and turn on headlights in smoke and asked the public not to report the fires, because crews stay on scene during and after ignition. [1]
Burn areas may be closed for several days, and burns can be postponed or canceled if weather and air conditions are not right, St. George News reported. Updates are posted on the Dixie National Forest's website and Facebook page. [1]
Sources
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