Prescribed Burn Season Underway in Southern Idaho National Forests
Wildfire managers in the Boise, Payette, and Salmon-Challis National Forests are initiating prescribed fire operations, or preparing to do so pending necessary approvals. These projects are designed to reduce overgrown vegetation and mitigate wildfire risk to communities, infrastructure, and natural resources, according to recent announcements.
Boise National Forest
The Boise National Forest (BNF) plans to conduct prescribed burns across all six ranger districts. Specific project areas include:
- Cascade District: Skunk – 321 acres, 11 miles southeast of Cascade off Skunk Creek Road 417.
- Emmett District:
- Poorman – 2,652 acres – two miles east of Garden Valley off Banks-Lowman Road by U.S. Forest Service Garden Valley Work Center.
- Pinney Slope – 1,019 acres – six miles north of Crouch off Scriver Creek Road 693.
- High Fork – 419 acres – one mile north of High Valley off High Valley Road 644.
- Idaho City District:
- Alder Creek – 517 acres – two miles north of Placerville off Forest roads 615 and 395 near Alder Creek Summit.
- Little Ophir – 111 acres – two miles northeast of Placerville off Forest Road 381E near Ophir Creek.
- Mores South – 354 acres – five miles east of Idaho City off road 327 at Rabbit Creek Summit, and off roads 329 and 357 in the Boulder Creek drainage.
- Boise Basin Experimental Forest – 284 acres – one mile northwest of Idaho City off County Road 307.
- Warm Springs – 100 acres – eight miles southwest of Idaho City off Hwy 21 at Grimes Creek.
- Lowman District:
- Clear Creek – 244 acres – four miles northeast of Lowman off roads 582 and 545, at Long Creek.
- Lick Creek – 551 acres – two miles east of Lowman off road 558, near Lowman Ranger Station.
- Mountain Home District:
- Cottonwood III – 66 acres – 15 miles east of Boise off road 377 near Cottonwood Guard Station.
- Johnson Fork – 141 acres – nine miles southwest of Idaho City off road 261, at Grimes Creek and Clear Creek.
Payette National Forest
The Payette National Forest is planning prescribed fire operations in several areas:
- New Meadows Ranger District: Goose, Cold, Railroad, Rapid River, and Brush project areas.
- Council Ranger District: Mill Creek-Council Mountain, Huckleberry, and Middle Fork project areas.
- Weiser Ranger District: Robinson project area.
- Krassel Ranger District: Bald Hill and Fitsum project areas.
Salmon-Challis National Forest
The Salmon-Challis National Forest plans prescribed fire operations beginning this month and continuing through June, as conditions allow. Planned burns include:
- Wino Basin — up to 3,000 acres, 16 miles southeast of Challis.
- South Lost — up to 8,000 acres, 13 miles east of Mackay.
- Big Creek, Goldburg — up to 1,500 acres, 33 miles northeast of Mackay and 36 miles southeast of Challis.
- Darling Creek — up to 2,000 acres, 12 miles northwest of Challis.
- Bartlett Creek — up to 1,000 acres, 29 miles west of Mackay.
County emergency management officials will be notified when burning commences. Areas where prescribed fire is planned may be closed to the public for several days for safety, and roadside signs will be posted. According to Boise National Forest public affairs officer Mike Williamson, conditions, not calendar dates, determine if a prescribed fire is conducted. Factors considered include moisture in vegetation and the daily and weekly weather forecast, ensuring conditions are suitable for safe and effective burning.
Residents may see smoke during these operations and are encouraged to check current air quality on AirNow online or through the app. Drivers encountering smoke are urged to slow down and turn on their headlights.
Photo: Part of prescribed fire operations completed March 20 north of North Fork, Idaho. Courtesy Salmon-Challis National Forest