CASPER, Wyo. — Forest Service fire crews will implement 327 acres of prescribed burning in the Upton/Osage area of the Thunder Basin National Grassland on Tuesday.
Proposed burn units are located on National Forest System lands managed by the Douglas Ranger District in Weston County. The prescribed fire areas are bordered by natural fuel breaks, roads, livestock trails and creek bottoms.
The area is 16 miles northwest of Newcastle and five miles north of Osage. The hills and draws of the burn units are composed of ponderosa pine intermixed with juniper and cottonwood, with grass and sagebrush flats. The elevation is 4,600 feet.
Much of the vegetation within the project area has not experienced fire in the past 50–100 years. The Clay Spur treatment will mimic historically natural fire disturbances by burning in a mosaic pattern. The burn will benefit a variety of vegetative species and their age class diversity, as well as wildlife habitat and domestic stock pasture. Fire danger will also be reduced by removing potentially hazardous fuel loading.
Necessary smoke permits have been obtained from the State of Wyoming. Smoke will likely be visible in surrounding communities and along Highway 16.
For more project information, people can contact North Zone Fire Management Officer Shay Rogge at 307-358-7119 or Nick Collard, Fuels Assistant Zone Management Officer, at 307-358-7117.
