(St. George, UT) - Arizona Strip District Fire Managers will be conducting two prescribed burns within the Arizona Strip District in October with the purpose of restoring ecological function and condition. Prescribed fires also enable fire managers to remove and reduce hazardous fuels thereby protecting lands and structures from the potential of future wildfires.

Prescribed fires must meet certain weather-related and environmental factors prior to ignition. BLM fire staff will manage and monitor the prescribed fire activity. While smoke may be present in these remote areas for several days; smoke from these fires will not be visible from the St. George area. Smoke emissions will be managed in accordance with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality regulations. Both fires are located within 65-70 miles south of St. George, Utah.

Prescribed fire projects are conducted in a manner consistent with land and resource management plans, public health considerations such as smoke issues, and approved prescribed fire plans.

The “EB5” prescribed fire located in the Mt Trumbull area will include 70 acres. The “Middle Bench” prescribed fire, located between Mt. Trumbull and Mt. Logan near the BLM Nixon Springs Administrative Site, is the second phase of the Mt. Trumbull Ecological Restoration Project (ERP) and will include 180 acres.

Roads in these areas will not be closed but signs will be posted to notify the public. Please use caution when traveling in the area of the fire. These prescribed fires help to restore ecosystem function and condition by reintroducing fire into the system, removing hazardous fuels, protecting nearby private lands and structures from potential wildfire. Prescribe fire also minimizes impacts on wildlife, native plant species, and cultural resources.