08-02-2007, 10:10 PM
SARATOGA- The Forest Service would like to inform the public that there will be an area closure for a prescribed burn this fall on the east side of the Roaring Fork drainage. As the crow flies, the prescribed burn will be about 18 miles southwest of Encampment and about 31 miles east of Baggs.
"Two-thirds of the aspen in this area is old and dying, while only about four percent is young and healthy. In addition, most of the aspen stands are converting to subalpine fir," said Steve Best, District Ranger for the Brush Creek/Hayden Ranger District. The aspen forest, on the west slope of the Sierra Madre is the largest continuous stand of aspen in Wyoming.
The Medicine Bow National Forest Resource and Land Management Plan direction is to manage this area for aspen.
The 1,700-acre Roaring Fork prescribed burn planned for this fall is the first of several burns planned over the next several years to improve aspen habitat. The burns will be in Elk Area 21 and Deer Area 82. (see attached map)
To provide for public safety, the area will be closed to camping, beginning Aug. 24, 2007. The area will be open to all other activities until the burn is ignited. During actual ignition, the area as well as the roads and trails within the area will be closed to all uses, probably for 3-5 days.
"The fire will reduce the amount of subalpine fir, promote sprouting of aspen, and produce a mosaic of burned and unburned vegetation, which increases wildlife forage and cover," Best said. "Because ignition will depend on having the proper mix of weather and fuel conditions, the specific date will be chosen immediately prior to ignition."
For more information, please call the Brush Creek/Hayden Ranger District at 307-326-5258.
"Two-thirds of the aspen in this area is old and dying, while only about four percent is young and healthy. In addition, most of the aspen stands are converting to subalpine fir," said Steve Best, District Ranger for the Brush Creek/Hayden Ranger District. The aspen forest, on the west slope of the Sierra Madre is the largest continuous stand of aspen in Wyoming.
The Medicine Bow National Forest Resource and Land Management Plan direction is to manage this area for aspen.
The 1,700-acre Roaring Fork prescribed burn planned for this fall is the first of several burns planned over the next several years to improve aspen habitat. The burns will be in Elk Area 21 and Deer Area 82. (see attached map)
To provide for public safety, the area will be closed to camping, beginning Aug. 24, 2007. The area will be open to all other activities until the burn is ignited. During actual ignition, the area as well as the roads and trails within the area will be closed to all uses, probably for 3-5 days.
"The fire will reduce the amount of subalpine fir, promote sprouting of aspen, and produce a mosaic of burned and unburned vegetation, which increases wildlife forage and cover," Best said. "Because ignition will depend on having the proper mix of weather and fuel conditions, the specific date will be chosen immediately prior to ignition."
For more information, please call the Brush Creek/Hayden Ranger District at 307-326-5258.