BLM Plans Prescribed Burn in Area Near Lovell in Mid October
Written by Andrew-Rossi on October 7, 2022
If Big Horn County residents spot a plume of smoke sometime this month, it might be the B.L.M.’s prescribed burn to improve habitat and reduce the severity of future wildfires.
The Bureau of Land Management will conduct a prescribed fire project 17 miles east of Lovell this fall in the Mexican Hills and Cow Creek areas. Approximately 400 acres are targeted within the mountain shrub community and its adjacent forested drainages.
Courtesy BLM Cody Field Office
Burning may start as soon as Oct. 7 and could continue for three to four days if weather and fuel moisture conditions are favorable for a safe and effective burn. Smoke may be visible at times during the operations.
Prescribed fire in this area will reduce dense shrub stands and conifer encroachment and promote new growth of native grasses, forbs, and shrubs, resulting in high nutritional value forage.
In the timbered drainages, reducing stand densities creates openings for new understory growth and provides security habitat and cover for mule deer fawns. In addition, reducing the dense buildup of fuels lessens the possibility of a severe wildfire, which is key to not only preserving habitat and watershed health but also helping firefighters safely and successfully fight future wildfires.
Courtesy BLM Cody Field Office
