Lyon County's Bald Mountain will get a 2,000-acre haircut thanks to U.S. Forest Service crews, who will be conducting a prescribed fire on public land through May 30.
The burn may be postponed if weather, fuel, or smoke dispersal conditions are not within prescribed limits. The burn site is about 20 miles northeast of Bridgeport in the Sweetwater Mountains.
"This important work will help reduce the build-up of heavy fuels and pinyon trees at the end of their lifecycle," said Bridgeport District Ranger Cheryl Probert. "This prescribed fire will improve wildlife habitat and reduce the risk of future large-scale fires in the area."
A helicopter lit the fire on Tuesday using a helitorch, aided by firefighters on the ground. A helitorch is like a flying drip torch; it has a long wick that enables gelled gas to drip over the targeted area. The goal of the fire is to reduce heavy fuel loading in the pinon pine trees. To accomplish this, the fire must carry through the tops of the trees.
"Although this may sound strange, ideal burning conditions for this type of prescribed fire call for moderate-to-hot temperatures and steady winds," said Todd Baumer, Assistant Bridgeport Fire Management Officer. "Normally, firefighters do not want such weather, but it's absolutely necessary to help carry fire through the tops of the trees."
"We have every confidence in conducting this burn, especially since the area is remote and unpopulated, with few roads," continued Baumer. "The fire behavior from this burn will be visible from a distance due to the fire intensity needed for the burn to be successful." This prescribed fire will be conducted within the limits and standards set by the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District, and an approved Forest Service prescribed fire burn plan.
Travel on Forest Service road 028, near the bridge, may be restricted on the morning of Tuesday, May 20, to enhance public and firefighter safety. Visitors can expect to see numerous fire engines and personnel near the
028 road during this week, and may observe an increase in fire engines and firefighters in the area; please slow down and drive carefully to accommodate the extra traffic.
Questions concerning the Bridgeport Ranger District's upcoming prescribed fire or the fuels management program should be directed to Annamaria Echeverria Fuels Management Specialist, at 760-932-7070, or to Grace Newell, Fire Management Specialist, at 775-882-2766.
