Prescribed burn planned for Greys River area
by Bridger-Teton National Forest
October 16, 2012
The Bridger-Teton National Forest plans to conduct a prescribed burn within the Greys River drainage this fall.
The 1800-acre Weiner Creek burn unit is located off the Greys River Road, approximately 10-miles south of Alpine, Wyoming and includes parts of Weiner Creek and the North Fork of Murphy Creek drainages. This fire is a cooperative project supported by the Bridger-Teton National Forest, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. The project will treat aspen and sagebrush stands to improve structural diversity and plant vigor.
The primary purpose for this burn is to improve vegetation diversity and wildlife habitat. An additional benefit will be reduction in hazardous fuels, which will improve management of future wildland fires. Prescribed fire will rejuvenate stagnant, decadent, and encroached sagebrush and aspen stands, which will improve wildlife habitat.
The Weiner Creek Basin portion of this project area was burned in September of 2007. The remaining 1,000 acres in the North Fork of Murphy Creek is expected to be carried out between mid-October and mid- November.
Actual ignition will be dependent on meeting strict parameters for weather and fire behavior conditions. Forest users may experience temporary smoky conditions in the vicinity of the burn unit, along with the possibility of occasional, short-term trail or road closures. Interagency fire managers will attempt to minimize any adverse impacts as the burn proceeds.
For further information please contact the Greys River Ranger District at (307) 886-5300.
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