In early May, fire management personnel from Zion National Park, with cooperation from interagency partners, completed the East Mesa Prescribed Fire (Rx) project. The East Mesa Burn Unit is located along the park’s eastern boundary. It had been previously identified as one of the six original wildland-urban interface “Focus Areas” located in the Color Country Interagency Fire Management Area that required some type of immediate fuel reduction treatment to protect communities/properties at risk from the threat of wildland fire. The objectives of the East Mesa Rx were to provide protection for surrounding property and structures, reduce fuel loading and restore fire to its natural role in the ecosystem. This completion phase of the project treated the final 500 acres of the 2,300 total acres in the burn unit. Approximately 1,800 acres in the burn unit were treated in spring 2006.
Hand ignition of the burn unit was conducted over a period of two days. Portions of the interior of the burn unit continued to burn slowly over several weeks. Smoke dispersal was very good during the burn due to favorable wind conditions and a high clearing index. Very few impacts from smoke were encountered during the burn. Some temporary trail closures were instituted in and adjacent to the burn unit, but were reopened as soon as it was safe to do so.
The East Mesa Rx will benefit both Zion National Park and the landowners and residents of the East Zion area. The burn will not only provide them with a lowered risk from wildland fire, but will also benefit the plants and animals of the fire-adapted ponderosa pine ecosystem. The policy of using fire as a management tool will help decrease risks to life, property and resources and will help perpetuate the values for which the park was established.
Contact: David Eaker, Fire Information/Education Specialist
Phone: (435) 772-7811
*This story supports the National Fire Plan |
