Wrangell St Elias National Park and Preserve to Conduct Mechanical Fuel Reduction within the Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark

Jessica Sherwood, NPS

News Release Date: September 11, 2012

Copper Center, Alaska -Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve wildland fire staff will be conducting a mechanical fuels reduction around the perimeter of two tracts of private land within the Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark - tract 41-130 and 41-131-at mile 64 of the McCarthy road beginning September 12 through the 19th.The project will create a shaded fuel break where combustible vegetation is selectively thinned and /or limbed to improve wildland firefighting tactics and improve the safety to the public and firefighters.The project area is not a clear-cut and will occur entirely on NPS lands that surround the private tracts of land. A collaboration between NPS Alaska Eastern Area fire Management, NPS Western Area Fire Management and the Southeast Alaska Guidance Association make up the twelve person crew.

Visit https://www.nps.gov/wrst/parkmgmt/firemanagement.htm for more information about the park's wildland fire management program.

Have you planned your fall Firewise project? Reduce the fire risk to your home now not next spring or summer when the risk is greater. Fall is a great time to limb and thin trees on your property and clean up any other fuel sources around your home. Rather than burning your slash, build piles and cover them until winter. Ignite them when snow is on the ground and use safe burning practices. Learn how fire staff reduce the fire risk to NPS structures and how you can do it too https://www.nps.gov/akso/nature/fire/firefuels.cfm.

For additional information, contact Wrangell-St. Elias Public Affairs at [phone] or visit https://www.nps.gov/wrst/index.htm .