Forest burning slash near Teton Pass and White Pine

Winter conditions are settling in over the Bridger-Teton National Forest, which means fuels crews will soon begin pile burning operations around the forest.

Fuels reduction programs, which involve mechanical or hand thinning projects, remove trees to reduce forest density and improve forest health.

Hand piles result from crews using chainsaws to thin the forest and then piling the sawn unmarketable limbs, saplings, and brush.

Crews began burning slash piles in the Phillips Ridge area on Teton Pass yesterday and will continue through Friday.

People throughout the valley can expect to see smoke in the Teton Pass area all throughout the week.

Outside of Pinedale, this season’s pile burning could begin as soon as today near the White Pine Ski area, and continue through November, depending on weather and fuels conditions. The anticipated snow will help contain the piles and firefighters monitor the area during and after the burn.