KAMIAH, Idaho: March 18, 2024— The Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests are gearing up for this spring’s prescribed burning operations. Reducing hazardous fuels that build-up over time in our forests and around our communities reduces the risk of future high-intensity wildfires. Through treatments such as prescribed burning and mechanical thinning, essential forest fuel reductions not only lower the risk of high-intensity wildfires, but also can slow or stop future wildfire progression.
Utilizing prescribed fire is one proactive management tool that the Forest uses to help minimize future wildfire risks. By regularly implementing low intensity prescribed fires, which mimics nature, flammable overgrowth and dead, down fuel can be “cleaned up”. Without the removal of these excess fuels, fuel buildup could more readily provide a wildfire the conditions to burn hotter and longer.
As we continue into spring, firefighters and fire management personnel will continually monitor conditions to ensure that prescribed fire can be conducted in a safe and effective manner, so that the prescribed fire project can achieve habitat improvements and restoration of fire-adapted landscapes. Prescribed burning could begin as early as this week and continue throughout spring, as weather conditions allow.
For more information, or questions about any planned prescribed fire projects on the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests please contact your local ranger district office or call the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests’ Fire Information Line at 208-935-6134.
Spring Prescribed Burn Plans on the Nez Perce-Clearwater NF as of reporting time:
Lochsa-Powell Ranger District
For questions, please contact District Fire Management Officer Sean Gaines or District Assistant Fire Management Officer Neal Cox, 208-926-6424.
Fan Bit Timber Sale will consist of approximately 40 acres of broadcast burning. The project area is located between Fan Saddle and Mystery Saddle off National Forest Service Road (NFSR) #101, near Walde Lookout. The project will occur as early as May and last for about three days, depending on weather conditions.
There will be warning signs along NFSR #101 to alert the public of the work being done.
Short duration smoke impacts to the surrounding area may occur.
Moose Creek Ranger District
For questions, please contact District Fire Management Officer Jon Norman, 208-926-8952 or District Ranger Ronald Tipton, 208-926-8930.
Fenn Face Prescribed Burn will consist of approximately 500 acres of landscape prescribed fire. The project area is about four miles from Lowell, ID and approximately half a mile from Fenn Ranger Station in the Johnson Creek drainage. The project area is also within portions of NFSR #317 (Coolwater Road) and NFSR #223 (Selway River Road). Burning will start as early as April 5, 2024, and extend through June 15, 2024.
Delays are expected along NFSR #223.
Smoke impacts are anticipated on NFSR #317, NFSR #223, and in the Selway River area.
Tinker Bug Timber Sale will consist of approximately 400 acres of broadcast burning. The project area is located in Idaho County, south of Syringa, ID. The project area’s entirety will encompass about 7,636 acres in the Big Smith Creek and Middle Fork Clearwater River sub-watersheds that drain into the Middle Fork Clearwater River. Burning will occur as early as May 1, 2024, and go as long as June 30, 2024.
Short duration smoke impacts may occur along NFSR #286, NFSR# 286A, NFSR# 653, NFSR #470, and Highway 12.
Selway Falls Cabin Prescribed Burn will consist of approximately 460 acres of landscape prescribed fire, located between Gedney Creek and Race Creek drainages and within the proximity of NFSR #319 (Fog Mountain Road), and NFSR #223 (Selway River Road). Ignition units are located on the southern aspect, above NFSR #223 from NFSR #319 to Selway River boat take out. Burning will start as early as March 18, 2024, and last through May 30, 2024.
Short duration delays and smoke-impacts are expected on NFSR #319, NFSR #223, and the Selway River Trailhead.
Selway Administrative Site Project will consist of approximately 76 acres of broadcast burning and is located entirely along the Selway River, Fenn Fishpond, Johnson Bar Campground, and CCC Campground. The project will start as early as April 1, 2024, and end around June 1, 2024
Short duration delays and smoke impacts are anticipated along NFSR #223.
North Fork Ranger District
For questions, please contact District Fire Management Officer Aaron Skinner, 208-476-4541.
Pile Burning Project will consist of approximately 100 acres of landing and machine pile burning within the Barnyard and Tumble Creek Timber Sales areas, about nine miles northeast of Headquarters, ID. The project is set to take about three to six days between March and April, depending on weather conditions.
Minimal smoke impacts are anticipated.
Ponderosa Pine Project will consist of approximately 500 to 800 acres of aerial and hand ignitions. The project area is located along and north of NFSR #247 and NFSR #250, approximately from Washington Creek Campground to Cedars Campground. The project is set to take about two to four days between April and May, depending on weather conditions.
Short duration smoke impacts to visibility are expected along NFSR #247 and NFSR #250. Short duration impacts to trail systems within the project boundary may occur.
East Saddle Project will consist of approximately 500 to 800 acres of aerial and hand ignition prescribed burning. The project area is about eight miles east of Kelly Work Center. The project will take about one to three days to complete between April or May, depending on weather conditions.
Smoke may be visible from NFSR #250 and NFSR #581. Short duration impacts to trail systems within the project boundary may occur.
Palouse Ranger District
For more information, please contact the Palouse Ranger District Office, 208-875-1131.
Greenhorn Stewardship Prescribed Burn will consist of approximately 152 acres of prescribed burning, located about three and a half miles north of Laird Park Campground. The project will occur as early as April, depending on weather conditions.
Short duration smoke impacts may occur.
Sandy Mountain Salvage Sale Project will consist of approximately 20 acres of prescribed burning, located three miles east of Laird Park Campground. The project will occur as early as April, depending on weather conditions.
Short duration smoke impacts may occur.
Red River Ranger District
For questions, please contact District Fire Management Officer Craig Roach, 208-874-2405.
Dutch Oven BD will consist of approximately 280 acres of burning logging slash. The project location is about four and a half miles west of Elk City, ID, along Highway 14. The timeframe for the project will take place as early as April and go through May, depending on weather conditions.
Smoke will be visible from Elk City, Orogrande, and Newsome.
Dutch Over Landscape Project will consist of approximately 1,041 acres of landscape burning. The project location is about four and a half miles west of Elk City, ID, along Highway 14. The timeframe for the project will take place as early as April and go through May, depending on weather conditions.
Smoke will be visible from Elk City, Orogrande, and Newsome.
Muddy Moose BD will consist of approximately 43 acres of burning logging slash, about six miles northwest of Elk City, ID. The project will be started as early as April and go until May, depending on weather conditions.
Smoke will be visible from Elk City, Orogrande, and Newsome.
South Township Project will consist of approximately 413 acres of logging slash and landscape burning, about two miles south of Elk City, ID. The project will occur as early as April and go until May, depending on weather conditions.
Smoke will be visible from Elk City, ID.
Salmon River Ranger District
For questions, please contact District Ranger Jeffrey Shinn, 208-839-2103, or District Fire Management Officer Matt Myers, 208-839-2102.
Johns Creek Prescribed Burn will consist of approximately 17,000 acres planning area and is located about 15 miles southwest of Grangeville, ID. The project will occur as early as April and continue through May.
Short duration smoke impacts are expected to Highway 14. Signs will be posted alerting public of smoke impacts.
Windy Shingle Timber Sale will consist of approximately 160 acres of prescribed burning, located about five miles southwest of Riggins, ID. The project will occur as early as April and go until May, depending on weather conditions.
Short duration smoke impacts are to be expected near local areas. Signs will be posted to make public aware of smoke adjacent to burns and fire personnel will coordinate with the Idaho/Montana Airshed Group to ensure favorable weather and air quality conditions.
Flo 3 Timber Sale will consist of approximately 100 acres of prescribed fire, located 15 miles northeast of Riggins, ID. The project will occur as early as April and go until May, depending on weather conditions.
Short duration smoke impacts are to be expected near local areas. Signs will be posted to make public aware of smoke adjacent to burns and fire personnel will coordinate with the Idaho/Montana Airshed Group to ensure favorable weather and air quality conditions.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
For more information, you can contact the BLM Cottonwood Field Office at 208-962-3245.
The Coeur d’Alene District, BLM, in conjunction with the Idaho Department of Lands and the Idaho Fish and Game, is planning prescribed fire work on the Cave Gulch project. Approximately 109 acres of grass agriculture fields will be burned in early spring 2024. The project is located in the Snake River Corridor, in Nez Perce County, in the Cave Gulch drainage. There are also spring plans to burn logging slash generated from past logging activities in the Spruce Up project area, located approximately 3 miles west of Elk City above Crooked River.
Fire personnel will work closely with the Idaho/Montana Airshed Group and the National Weather Service to minimize smoke impacts. The decision to ignite on any given day will depend on favorable weather conditions and the need to reduce smoke effects as much as possible. If smoke concentrations approach air quality standards, fire ignition may be delayed until air quality improves. Residual smoke may be visible for up to two weeks following ignition, but most of the smoke from the fires is anticipated to dissipate one to two days after ignition.
Lowell-WUI (Wildland Urban Interface) Prescribed Burn in 2023 cleaning up dead, downed trees and hazardous fuel.
(Photo Credit USDA Forest Service)
