Wildland Fire Management Plan Craters of the Moon National Monument III. Description of the Monument

1. Craters of the Moon National Monument is located on the northern edge of the semi-arid Snake River Plain in south-central Idaho. Established in 1924, the 53,440 acre monument protects a unique series of volcanic cinder cones, craters, lava flows, and caves located along the northern end of the Great Rift. The monument's north end extends into the foothills of the Pioneer Mountains. Elevations range from 5200 feet to 7730 feet. With the exception of the Pioneer Mountains, monument landforms resulted from a series of volcanic basalt eruptions which occurred over the past 15,000 years, with the most recent being about 2200 years ago (Kuntz et al. 1983).

Over half the monument consists of lava flows relatively barren of vegetation. Vegetated areas of the monument are dominated by sagebrush communities intermixed in areas with stands of limber pine. Douglas- fir and aspen occurs on the north-facing slopes of older cinder cones and in the Pioneer foothills. With the exception of the monument's "North End" (area north of Highway 93) and Little Prairie most continuously vegetated areas are only several hundred acres in size and are confined by lava flows lacking sufficient vegetation to carry a fire.

Aquatic resources are limited to two small perennial streams draining the Pioneer Mountains on the north end of the monument and year-round ice deposits in some lava tube caves and pit craters. Wildlife includes mule deer, elk, black bear, and moose; although the latter three species have generally been restricted to the Pioneer Mountains. A number of sagebrush obligate species (sage and Brewer's sparrows) are common within the monument, although sage grouse observations have been rare. Lava tube caves are used by a variety of bats, including the Townsend's big-eared bat, for hibernation and rearing of young.

Cultural resources are largely confined to surface or subsurface archeological sites. Only two 50+ year old structures remain within the monument and both are located within the area of the Visitor Center development complex. A section of the historic Oregon Trail's Goodale's Cutoff crosses the North End of the monument.

Developments within the monument are relatively limited; the Visitor Center complex (visitor center, maintenance shops, employee residences, and campground), a 5.6 mile scenic drive, and potable water system. The monument is transected by four miles of State Highway 93, 20/26 just north of the Visitor Center complex.

2. In terms of fire management the values to be protected include public safety, structures and other infrastructure, plant and animal communities, and air quality (particularly visibility) in the monument's Class I air-shed.

Figure 1. CRMO Cover Types