Vegetation Pile Burns Planned in Arches and Canyonlands National Parks

Date: January 17, 2012
Contact: Mark Miller, 435-719-2130

Park officials will begin burning piles of dead vegetation in several locations throughout Arches and Canyonlands National Parks over the next several weeks as conditions allow.

The burns are being completed in order to consume existing accumulations of woody and herbaceous material from exotic plant management, fuel reduction, and general maintenance projects in the parks over the past year. Piles of tamarisk and other non-native plant species will be burned in order to improve visitor and employee safety in the event of wildfires, and help in efforts to restore and maintain native plant communities.

Completion of these pile burn projects will take approximately 9 to 12 days, followed by several days of monitoring and clean-up activities. Smoke from the burn projects is expected to be minimal, but warning signs will be used near project areas where smoke impacts are expected.  Park officials urge visitors to drive carefully and watch for fire personnel and vehicles.

More information about these burns may be obtained by contacting Joanie Lawrence, Fuels Specialist, at [phone] or Steve Underwood, Fire Management Officer, at [phone].