Spring 2024 prescribed fire in the Hughes Creek area

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — This spring, between Thursday, April 11 and the end of April, when conditions are right, the North Zone of the Salmon‐Challis National Forest will be implementing a prescribed fire in the Hughes Creek area. This burn is a maintenance burn which will reduce the hazardous fuels that have accumulated since the last treatment eight (8) years ago. The burn will use hand and aerial ignition with a helicopter to reduce continuity of fuels on approximately 5,000 acres. In addition to breaking up the continuity and reducing fuels, this burn will improve wildlife habitat and forest health and help reduce the threat of wildfire to local communities.

Forest staff will identify the best conditions to implement this burn, in coordination with the National Weather Service and Air quality regulators. The burn will be conducted when weather conditions are ideal to meet objectives and promote smoke dispersal which limits impacts to local and regional communities.

Prescribed fire managers will begin implementation in Block 1 finishing out in Block 2 (see attached map).

During burn operations, it is expected that short periods of high smoke volume output will be visible to local communities. All notifications will be made to residents or interested parties prior to ignition. Please use caution in these areas during burning operations and observe any posted signs in the area.

This project supports the National Fire Plan (2000), Healthy Forest Initiatives (2004), and Healthy Forests Restoration Act (2004) as well as meet the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy (2014) in protecting communities at risk, community infrastructure, and safe/effective wildfire response.

For more information, please call North Fork Ranger District at 208‐865-2700.