State and federal land managers are preparing to burn up to 30,977 acres across southwest Idaho to reduce excessive trees and brush that could contribute to larger wildfires later this year.
The U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management and the Idaho Department of Lands are coordinating to manage the intentional fires.
The agencies keep an updated map showing the areas where prescribed burns will take place, and what air quality is like as a result. Managers could set fires in the Boise National Forest later this week, depending on the weather.
Land managers say that by reducing brush and thick forested areas, they can provide potential fuel breaks for wildfire crews this summer.
It’s not clear yet what kind of wildfire season we have in store, but with warmer and drier weather this winter, these prescribed burns could pay off this summer.
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