Prescribed burns planned

The Mountain Home Ranger District plans on igniting a pair of prescribed burns this fall that could last several weeks depending on weather and fuel conditions.

Fire crews anticipate favorable weather conditions this month, allowing them to ignite low-intensity prescribed fires that reduce potential wildfire fuel, improve wildlife habitat, and reduce threats to nearby communities.

The prescribed burns in the local ranger district covers 278 acres, including 250 acres in the Shafer Butte area. Meanwhile, the Trinity Salvage located west of Featherville will involve another 28 acres. Both scheduled fires involve slash pile burning.

In addition to the Mountain Home Ranger District, additional burns are planned in the Lowman, Cascade, Idaho City and Emmett ranger districts.

Combined, these scheduled fires will cover an estimated 3,000 acres of U.S. Forest Service land.

Signs will be posted on roads near all burn areas prior to and when burning is in progress. Local residents and forest users may experience some smoke from the prescribed fires, especially in the evening hours, which may continue for up to several days after ignition.

Specific information is available by contacting the local ranger districts, the Boise National Forest Headquarters at 373-4100, on the web at www.rxfire.com or by calling the prescribed fire hotline at 373-4208.