POCATELLO — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Idaho Falls District will begin burning slash piles November 15  to reduce fire hazards in the Pocatello Northeast bench area.

The Pocatello Northeast Fuels project has been ongoing for the past three years and is located approximately a 1/2 mile east of the Satterfield area. If the weather continues to hold, the BLM plans to continue prescribed burns in the Soda Hills and Samaria areas as well. Total acreage for all three areas encompasses approximately 200 acres of previously cut and piled juniper.

"We've been working for the past two years to create openings in this continuous Juniper woodland," said Joel Gosswiller, Assistant Fire Management Officer (AFMO), about the Pocatello Northeast Fuels project. "We hope to reduce fire hazards for the residents in the community and create defensible space in the area, which will ultimately aid in wildland fire suppression activities." The treatments do not eliminate wildland fire from the landscape but help to reduce its intensity should one ignite.

The Soda Springs Hills fuels project in Caribou County, is located approximately three miles northwest of the town of Soda Springs. Removal of encroaching conifers from aspen stands reduces competition and prescribed fire helps stimulate aspen reproduction.  Aspen communities in the Soda Springs Hills provide numerous benefits, including forage and habitat for wildlife, watershed protection, and landscape diversity.  The desired future conditions of this project also include reduced risk of intense and severe wildland fire.

The Samaria Mountains fuels project is located approximately 12 miles south of Malad City and six miles west of I-15.  Firefighters are conducting this burn to improve forest and rangeland health in the Samaria Mountain Project area and reduce the intensity and spread of future wildfires by creating openings in continuous Juniper woodlands.

Due to high moisture levels and low probability of ignition, the risks associated with disposing of these piles are minimal. Smoke may be seen from areas near the burn location, but fire personnel are taking precautions to ensure smoke production will be mitigated to reduce smoke impact to local residents.

On-site monitoring will be conducted to ensure compliance with the previously written burn plan. Firefighters will individually light each pile when favorable weather and fuel conditions are met. For more information about this projects contact BLM District Fire Ecologist, Gregory Mann at 208-478--6374.