Great Basin pile burns reduce hazardous fuels, improve habitat

BAKER, Nev. - Beginning today through March 1, Great Basin National Park is planning to burn 23 acres of piled fuels, part of the park's ongoing efforts to reduce the risk of wildfire and restore natural ecosystems.

As conditions permit, Wildland Fire Service firefighters will ignite piles in the Can Young Canyon area, as well as the park's administrative burn pile. These piles were previously created through mechanical thinning projects intended to improve habitat for aspen, as well as work done to create defensible space in park campgrounds and administrative areas.
Firefighters will remain on site to monitor the burns for several days.

Smoke from these pile burns will be visible from Baker, Garrison, and other locations throughout Snake Valley, as well as along U.S. Highways 6/50 and 93. Please do not report this smoke; local dispatch centers are aware of these prescribed fire operations.

These prescribed burns are part of Great Basin National Park's fire management plan, which includes fire as a vital part of the park's natural environment. Prescribed fires are an important tool used by the National Park Service to mitigate wildfire risk, reduce hazardous fuels, restore and maintain native vegetation, and promote ecosystem resilience.