This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
About 1,000 acres of state and private forest lands clogged with dead or dying timber were to be set afire by helicopter-borne flamethrower beginning Wednesday in southcentral Utah's Tavaputs Mountains.
Utah Division of Forestry spokesman Jason Curry said the prescribed burn was targeted for a remote, rugged area about 7 miles northeast of the East Carbon-Sunnyside community. Hand crews backed by fire engines will be on hand to keep the blaze within its planned boundaries and away from structures.
Curry put out the word on Wednesday in hopes of diminishing the volume of 911 calls from worried citizenry.
"Smoke will be visible from the surrounding valleys, but fire managers plan to ignite small, separate parcels to keep smoke production to acceptable levels," Curry stated. "Most of the smoke and flames will be limited to the next four to five days."
The idea behind prescribed fires such as this one is to clean away the buildup of dry fuels in a controlled manner, rather than leaving the area prey to out-of-control wildfires sparked by chance.
"The burning will simulate the natural occurrence of fire which promotes healthy, new growth and greater plant diversity," Curry said.
Motorists are cautioned to be ready to come upon fire vehicles on all other roads in the area. Specifically, access to Range Valley Mountain Road will be closed at Bruin Point.
Updates on the progress of the burn will be available at: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3892/ and on Twitter @UtahWildfire.
Twitter: @remims