KAMIAH, Idaho: April 22, 2024— Warmer and drier conditions between the next few days have opened a window of opportunity for the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests to continue implementing prescribed burns throughout the forests. The Moose Creek, North Fork, Palouse, Red River, and Salmon River Ranger Districts will aim to begin firing operations as soon as tomorrow, April 23, that will last throughout the week, while weather conditions are favorable. Prescribed fire is a vital land and natural resource management tool that the U.S. Forest Service and partners utilize to increase pace and scale that is crucial to reducing future wildfire risks and to improve ecosystems resilience across the region.
Theodore Peterson, Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests Fuels Program Manager, states, “Taking advantage of opportunistic burn windows will help reduce future smoke exposure, protect communities, and protect public health and safety. We anticipate wet weather entering this weekend, which will help clear out smoke produced from projects this week.”
The Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests collaborate with the Montana and Idaho Departments of Environmental Quality, as well as country agencies, through the Montana/Idaho Airshed management Group to seek concurrence on smoke approvals prior to prescribed fire ignition and to comply with air quality regulations.
This week, operations will begin on the North Fork Ponderosa Pine Restoration Project, Windy Shingle Timber Sale, Dutch Oven Fuels Treatment, Greenhorn Stewardship Project, and Tinker Bugs Timber Sale Project.
For more information, please visit InciWeb, as prescribed burn information will be updated here as necessary, or call the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Fire Information Line, 208-935-6134.
North Fork Ponderosa Pine Restoration Project
Tinker Bugs Timber Sale Project
