560 acres to be fire treated

Alexis Barker
NLJ News Editor
 
U.S. Forest Service fire crews are planning a prescribed burn of 560 acres in the Upton/Osage area of the Thunder Basin National Grassland, according to a press release from the agency. 
The vegetation treatment, named Clay Spur, will take place in March and early April when conditions are favorable for controlled burn activity. 
The agency is not releasing exact dates for the burn because timing will depend on suitable weather and fuel moisture content. The release noted that the daily ventilation category for smoke dispersal will also be considered when determining burn dates.
“Smoke will likely be visible in surrounding communities and along Highway 16,” the release states. 
“Proposed burn units are located on National Forest System lands managed by the Douglas Ranger District in Weston County, Wyo,” the release says. “The prescribed fire area is bordered by Skull Creek Road to the east and Forest Road 914 on the north. Two-track roads, livestock trails and creek bottoms surround the remaining project boundary to the west and south.” 
The area, according to the release, is 16 miles northwest of Newcastle, 5 miles north of Osage and less than one mile from the Skull Creek Road. 
“The hills and draws of the burn units are composed of ponderosa pine, intermixed with juniper, cottonwoods, with grass and sagebrush flats. The elevation is 4,600 feet,” the release continues. “Much of the vegetation within the project area has not experienced fire in the past 50-100 years.  The Clay Spur burn will mimic historically natural fire disturbances, 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 loads.”