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March 7, 2008 Contact:      Bruce Collins,      307-328-4329 BLM High Desert District Fire Zone  Plans Spring Prescribed Burns The Bureau of Land Management High Desert District Fire Zone is planning to conduct up to eight prescribed burns this spring. The Prospect Mountain burn is located in the Platte Valley and will treat 225-530 acres of mountain shrubs. This is a joint project with the Medicine Bow National Forest, Brush Creek Hayden Ranger District. The Deep Gulch burn, located 15 miles northeast of Baggs, would treat 1200-1500 acres of dense, decadent mountain big sage, as well as stimulate aspen expansion and vigor. The Barrett Ridge burn, 600-1000 acres, is located in the Platte Valley and will improve rangeland health, improve wildlife habitat and reduce hazardous fuel loading. Barrett Ridge is a continuation of treatments initiated the three previous springs. The East Muddy prescribed burn, will be 200-250 acres in size and is located north of the town of Baggs. This burn will also improve rangeland health, improve wildlife habitat and reduce hazardous fuel loading. The Upper Separation prescribed burn has areas that will be treated in both the spring and fall. The spring portion, approximately 500 acres, will create a mosaic of age classes in old unproductive stands of sage and mountain brush. An under burn to treat an area previously thinned near Seminoe Reservoir will also be conducted this spring. The Seminoe treatment area will encompass 15 acres. Smoke may also be observed from pile burning projects occurring near Bennett Peak and Whiskey Creek. The ignition and timing of these prescribed burns is dependent on the weather and on fuels meeting the parameters of the burn prescription. Anyone needing additional information about these prescribed burns should contact Aaron Mier, Fuels Specialist, at the Rawlins Field Office, 307-328-4200. -BLM-