Bald Mountain Prescribed Burn Cancelled For Today

A prescribed burn on Bald Mountain near the town of Centennial has once again been thwarted by high winds and low relative humidity.

Notice of a plan for the burn was sent out nearly a month ago, however conditions have not allowed the burn to take place.  Crews and journalists did journey to the site of the burn Thursday morning, however conditions, once again, shut operations down.  A window for another attempt has not yet been established.

Officials with the Medicine Bow Routt National Forest say that, ultimately, the burn would benefit deer and elk herds in the area.

In a statement made in a media release a month ago, Aaron Swallow, Rangeland Management Specialist for the Laramie Ranger District, “The habitat value within the burn unit has been reduced through the years by over-mature grass creating thick layers of dead material, reducing the forage potential. The reduced forage quality in the area has resulted in fewer elk wintering on National Forest lands and increased the potential for conflict on private lands. We hope that this burn can go a ways toward reversing that trend.”

Prescribed burns are used by the Forest Service to benefit wildlife and vegetation. A versatile management tool, the burns can reinvigorate rangeland, mimic historically natural fire disturbances, reduce hazardous fuels build-up and improve habitat for a variety of wildlife.

Prescribed burns, like the on proposed for Bald Mountain, can take place only if conditions are favorable. These conditions include soil moisture, weather, smoke dispersal and staffing. Weather forecasts are closely watched for changes in winds, temperature and humidity.