Slash Burns Slated
Work through the summer clearing the understory in various areas of the forest comes to a head in the next few weeks as fire crews torch the slash piles that have been gathered. Bridger-Teton National Forest Spokesperson Mary Cernacek says the objective of the projects is to make those areas less prone to wildfire. Cernacek says such control activities in developed areas also reduces the risk of losing structures to wildfire. Primary target areas in Grand Teton National Park include the String Lake picnic area, Shadow Mountain, Signal Mountain Campground, Death Canyon Road, Hidden Falls and the Murie Center. On the forest, burns are planned near Spread Creek, Turpin Summer Homes, Wilderness Ranches Subdivision and Buffalo Ranger Station. Cernacek says ignition of the piles will be done early in the day so that the piles can burn down prior to evening temperature inversions – thus reducing the smoke impact to the surrounding communities.
