KAMIAH, Idaho: April 17, 2024 – The Palouse Ranger District on the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests will begin implementing some prescribed burning operations on the Greenhorn Stewardship Units starting tomorrow Thursday, April 18. This project is located north of Laird Park near Potlatch, Idaho.
Smoke and flames may be visible from State Highway 6 and the surrounding area. Signs will be posted to notify travelers of the work being done in the vicinity and any potential impacts or delays.
The first unit is about 50 acres in size, and if weather and conditions are favorable another 40 to 85 acres in two other units nearby may be burned as well.
Prescribed fire activities could continue on the Palouse Ranger District through the middle of May as weather and conditions allow. The objective of burning this slash is to remove fuel accumulations and create areas for planting new trees.
Approximately 30 people will be assigned to this project over the next few days including resources from the Idaho Department of Lands (Ponderosa Office), Moose Creek Ranger District, and the Lochsa/Powell Ranger District.
For additional information about this prescribed fire project, please contact the Palouse Ranger District at 208-875-1133 or you can also call the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests Fire Information Line at 208-935-6134.
Red polygons in the Northeast corner of the map (North of Laird Park Campground) represent prescribed fire project units.
USDA Forest Service taken in 2023 as members of The Palouse Fire Crew from Potlatch Idaho remove a vertical snag or “candlestick” from the path of their prescribed fire to prevent it from catching fire and creating “firebrands” (flying hot embers) that could cross the holding lines and ignite spot fires.
USDA Forest Service, taken Spring of 2023 while members of The Palouse Fire Crew utilize propane backpack torches to ignite a prescribed fire unit near Potlatch Idaho.