by Kylee Boyter
Contributing Writer
Local personnel representing the Fishlake National Forest, Richfield Ranger District, U.S. Forest Service, and other local public safety organizations gathered April 15, to inform the public on the planned prescribed burns for Monroe Mountain and surrounding Fishlake forestry land this spring and fall.
“Fire plays a role in maintaining our ecosystems,” said Jason Kling, Richfield district ranger. “Prescribed burns help reduce hazardous fuels and promote the growth of trees that are dependent upon disturbance, like aspens.”
Kling explained the conservation movement of the early 20th century led to intense fire suppression measures and according to tree ring data, regular burns came to a halt around 1850.
“When fire is excluded, trees are stressed by overcrowding, downed trees pile up creating hazardous fuel for natural occurring fires, ultimately posing a larger risk for dangerous wildfires,” said Kling.
The Monroe Mountain Aspen Ecosystems Restoration Project is one the most aggressive in the nation, focusing on implementing the needed prescribed burns on all 455,000 acres in the Richfield Ranger District.
“It is determined that 233 years of no fire activity has impacted our ecosystems,” said Kling. “That is why we are proactive in our approach to regenerate and promote new aspen growth.”
For the Spring season, the Central Utah Fire Interagency announced their plan to begin prescribed burning operations on Monroe April 18-23 including 1,000 acres located in the Washburn Basin area near Signal Peak and 500 acres in the Smith Canyon area.
“We expect the following burns highlighted in pink to take place anytime now till the first week of June,” said Kelly Cornwall, U.S. Forest Service fuels specialist. “Ignition is dependent on weather, accessibility, and manpower. We expect the ignition to last 5-6 days and will be phased out.”
In the Fall, Cornwall detailed areas along Monroe Creek, Hunters Flat, and land West of Marysvale Peak that will experience prescribed burns between the months of October and November.
A member of the Central Utah Air Sports Association along with property owners of Monroe Mountain attended to learn more about how the upcoming burns would affect recreational use and access. Based on the information provided by the Forest Service, the majority of the burns will not interfere with the CUASA’s events as they are scheduled for late August and September.
To learn more about Utah wildfire and prescribed burns, visit utahfireinfo.gov or Fishlake National Forest on X @FishlakeNF to view active fires and fuels projects across the state of Utah.
