Vegetation Pile Burns Planned in Arches and Canyonlands National Parks

Date: December 29, 2014
Contact: Cheryl Decker, 435-719-2132

NOTE: After original news release of December 29, 2014, dates of planned burning were revised to those listed below.

Park officials plan to burn piles of dead vegetation in the Needles district of Canyonlands National Park on January 27, 2015, and another pile at Arches National Park's Courthouse Wash and visitor center area January 29, 2015  as weather conditions allow.

These 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.

Completion of these pile burn projects will take approximately 2 to 3 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 Keith Krause, Fuels Specialist, at [phone] or Steve Underwood, Fire Management Officer, at [phone].

For additional information about the Southeast Utah Group of national parks visit our websites at www.nps.gov/arch, www.nps.gov/cany, www.nps.gov/hove, and www.nps.gov/nabr.