Prescribed Burns Planned for Cody Area

While wildfires cause concern for forest managers because of the potential for injury to people and property, one of the tools used by the Forest Service to prevent out-of-control blazes is to start a fire of their own.

The Shoshone National Forest is planning to implement several prescribed fire projects this fall, as weather conditions allow, to manage overgrowth and maintain the health of the forest.

Forest officials are planning to burn about 50 acres along Wyoming Highway 296 northeast of Dead Indian Campground, which will restore open grass and scrub communities as well as provide fuel breaks for private property and improvements. And about 60 acres will be burned east of the Dead Indian overlook located off of Wyoming Highway 296.

Up to 250 acres near the junction of Wyoming Highway 296 and US Highway 212 are planned for treatment to provide fuel breaks near private property and improvements; and up to 30 acres will be burned between the Middle Fork Wood River Trailhead and Brown Mountain Campground.  

Signs will be posted in project areas and adjacent land owners will be notified prior to beginning the prescribed fire projects. Smoke may be visible from the surrounding areas during these projects.