Fishlake National Forest Successfully and Safely Treats 3,440 acres for South Monroe and Signal Peak Prescribed Fires

RICHFIELD, UT, November 7, 2023 – The Fishlake National Forest successfully and safely burned about 3,440 acres during November 2-6 timeframe on Monroe Mountain as part of the Monroe Mountain Aspen Ecosystems Improvement Project. This important work helps improve forest health and wildlife habitat.

Firefighters and fire managers focused on improving the conditions and burning 1,930 acres in in the area between Mud Lake and Washburn Basin near Signal Peak by helitorch and 1,510 acres near Upper Box Creek Reservoir by using both hand and Plastic Sphere Dispenser (PSD) ignitions. PSD is a rapid, low-cost ignition method that involves the dispersion of plastic balls containing chemicals that ignite after exiting a helicopter.

This burn involved using good fire to help rejuvenate fire-dependent aspen ecosystems in this area. It also helps reduce the risk of bad catastrophic wildfire, improve overall forest health, enhance wildlife and rangeland habitats, and provide additional forage for a variety of animals that use the area.

This work was completed in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Utah Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands, and Utah’s Watershed Restoration Initiative. 

While this prescribed burn may be completed, we encourage the public to follow @UtahWildfire, or by visiting www.utahfireinfo.gov for current and future prescribed fire updates and other fire-related information throughout the state of Utah. Also, please follow the Fishlake National Forest on Twitter @FishlakeNF or Facebook, at U.S. Forest Service-Fishlake National Forest, for forest-related facts, news, photos, and updates.