Bogley

[tanya]

The Powell Ranger District intends to burn about 300
acres a few miles west of Ruby’s Inn and the entrance to Bryce Canyon National Park when fuels, safety and weather conditions permit.

Ignition could occur as early as Thursday.

The East Fork Underburn is designed to clean up accumulated surface and
ladder fuels in the area, reducing the possibility of a large, fast
moving wildland fire that could threaten campgrounds, power lines and private property on or adjacent to National Forest or Park Service lands.

Once ignited, fire managers expect the fire to burn for about a week.

No area or road closures are planned. Fire crews will monitor the
fires to ensure that they meet management objectives, and to provide for public safety.

Forest Service fire managers are also working closely with Bryce Canyon
National Park, the Utah Division of Air Quality and local businesses to
minimize the impact of smoke on local residents and visitors.

Historically, fire has been the dominant disturbance on the Paunsaugunt
Plateau. Prescribed fire is a tool used by foresters to re-introduce
fire into this ecosystem, which 100 years of intensive fire suppression has
unnaturally altered.

Carefully managed fire also improves wildlife habitat, rangeland
conditions and general forest health.

For more information about the East Fork Underburn, contact the Powell
Ranger District office at (435) 676-9300.

-USFS-