Prescribed Burns Planned for Bighorn National Forest

If you see smoke in the skies in the Bighorn National Forest, it may just be the Forest Service being proactive.

The Bighorn National Forest is planning some prescribed burns this fall. National Forest Supervisor, Andrew Johnson, says these burns are weather dependent and planned to occur over the next few months.

Johnson says the purpose of the burns is to reduce fuel loading, improve wildlife habitat, and increase range forage.  The burns target over-mature sagebrush and conifer encroachment into shrublands and meadows.

On the Medicine Wheel Ranger District, a burn is planned for the Beaver Creek area near Sunlight Mesa on Hunt Mountain, for approximately 750 acres. On the Powder River Ranger District, burns are planned for Tensleep Canyon and Canyon Creek areas, totaling approximately 500 acres. And on the Tongue Ranger District, burns may occur in the Prospect Creek area near Granite Pass and Schuler Park near Burgess Junction. Combined, the burns total approximately 500 acres.

Smoke may be visible from communities surrounding the Bighorn National Forest, but is not expected to impact residents.