All ignitions are complete and 1,005 acres were burned, as planned, in the Ramshorn Prescribed Burn Area east of Green Bank West Virginia.  Fire staff will remain on site this evening patrolling control lines and mopping up, if needed. 

 

This was the first time the Forest Service used an UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System - commonly called a drone) to ignite a prescribed burn on Monongahela National Forest.  Trained Forest Service pilots flew the UAS over the Ramshorn Prescribed Burn Area and dropped little balls (they look like ping pong balls) filled with fuel that ignited on impact with the ground.  Using an UAS to ignite a prescribed fire is much safer for firefighters than flying in a helicopter or walking on steep slopes with a drip torch.   
 

About 40% of the Ramshorn Prescribed Burn has been completed and operations are normal.  Firefighters are continuing to ignite unburned areas and patrol control lines.

The test fire was successful and prescribed burning has started in the Ramshorn Project Area east of Green Bank in Pocahontas County. The 1,005 acre burn area is closed to the public, and residents may see or smell smoke for several days. For more information contact the Greenbrier Ranger District at 304-456-3335.

Fire staff are briefing on site this morning. If conditions are favorable, they will ignite a test burn. If the test burn is successful, they will begin fire operations today. Updates will be posted to this InciWeb site. Please check back!

Conditions appear favorable for the Ramshorn Prescribed Burn to occur tomorrow, April 6.  Please check back in the morning for updates.

Fire managers are monitoring weather forecasts and fuel moisture content for the right conditions to burn.  Please check back for updates.

Elkins, W.Va., March 26, 2021 — Monongahela National Forest plans to conduct a prescribed burn in the Ramshorn Project Area, southeast of Green Bank, this spring when conditions permit. The purpose of this burn is to re-establish fire’s natural role in the forest ecosystem, improve forest health and wildlife habitat, and reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfires.

The burn area will be closed to the public on the day of the burn and may be closed for several days after to ensure public safety. Signs will be posted on nearby roads before and during burning. Residents and Forest visitors may see and smell smoke for several days. If you encounter smoke on the highway, slow down, turn on your vehicle’s lights and drive appropriately for the conditions.

Prescribed fires are conducted under specific weather conditions and are designed to accomplish pre-determined forest management goals. Monongahela National Forest follows strict guidelines for conducting prescribed burns, and takes into consideration environmental factors such as temperature, humidity and wind. If any environmental conditions are not within limits, the burns will be postponed. 

Local radio stations will be alerted to burn activities ahead of time. When burning begins, information, photos, and maps will be available at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/.

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Pending favorable conditions, firefighters will conduct underburning operations on up to 107 acres in the School Point Alpha Unit 5, near Sam Billings Campground on the West Fork Ranger District.  This prescribed burn will work to reduce hazardous fuels, restore wildlife habitat, and better protect communities from future wildfires.

Smoke will be visible from the West Fork Ranger Station and Nez Perce Road.  Smoke may linger in those areas over the next few hours, but is expected to disperse over the next couple days.  Fire crews will monitor and patrol the prescribed burns over the next few days.

Prescribed burning operations will only be implemented if operational safety, fuel moisture, weather conditions, and air quality parameters can be attained. All spring burning projects are coordinated with the Montana DEQ to minimize impacts to communities.

For more information about prescribed fire planned on the forest, see maps and photos of treatment areas in the above tabs. 
 
 

Prescribed Burning Update- May 17, 2021

Weather permitting,  Bitterroot National Forest firefighters are planning to conduct underburning operations this afternoon on the Stevensville Ranger District. Underburning ignites vegetation under the forest canopy to reduce hazardous fuels.

Firefighters plan to ignite up to 108 acres by hand in the Three Saddles prescribed burn units 23 and 15 in the Sapphire Mountains east of Stevensville.  This prescribed burn is being conducted to reduce residual slash and fuels from previous thinning operations and improve wildlife habitat.  Smoke will be visible from the Stevensville area and Ambrose Road.

Prescribed burning operations will only be implemented if conditions are favorable. Favorable conditions include correct temperature, wind, fuel moisture, and ventilation for smoke. When these criteria are met, firefighters implement, monitor, and patrol each burn to ensure it meets forest health and public safety goals including air quality.

For more information about prescribed fire planned on the forest, see maps and photos of treatment areas in the above tabs.

Pending favorable conditions, Bitterroot National Forest firefighters will continue to conduct prescribed burning operations today to reduce hazardous fuels, restore wildlife habitat, and better protect communities from future wildfires.

Stevensville Ranger District- Three Saddles Unit, Sapphire Mountains: Firefighters will ignite up to 15 acres by hand in the in the Sapphire Mountains east of Stevensville to reduce residual slash and fuels from previous thinning operations and improve wildlife habitat. Smoke will be visible from the Stevensville area and Ambrose Road.

Darby/Sula Ranger District- Cameron Blue Unit 4, near Guide Creek and Tolan Ridge:  Firefighters will continue underburning operations on up to 75 acres using hand ignitions east of Sula. Underburning promotes regeneration of native vegetation and enhance the overall health and resiliency of the forest stand. Smoke will be visible from Sula and East Fork Road.

West Fork Ranger District – School Point Alpha Unit A, near Sam Billings Campground: Firefighters will conduct prescribed burning operations on up to 134 acres west of Boulder Creek and east of Halford Creek. Smoke will be visible from the West Fork Ranger Station and Nez Perce Road.

Prescribed burning operations will only be implemented if conditions are favorable. Favorable conditions include correct temperature, wind, fuel moisture, and ventilation for smoke. When these criteria are met, firefighters implement, monitor, and patrol each burn to ensure it meets forest health and public safety goals including air quality.

Reminder, recreational drones near wildfires or prescribed fires are not safe! Remember, if you fly, we can't. Thank you communities and public for your support

For more information about prescribed fire planned on the forest, see maps and photos of treatment areas in the above tabs.