Controlling the burn

Alexis Barker
NLJ News Editor
 
The Bureau of Land Management, through the Newcastle Field Office, has conducted several controlled burns throughout the last several months, according to a release from the agency, taking advantage of cooler temperatures and increased snow. The timing and extent of the burns depends on the winter weather conditions, the agency said. 
“Each year we wait for the winter months to conduct these burns in a way that is controlled and safe,” said Casey Cheesbrough, fire management specialist with the High Plains District. 
Beginning in January, fire professionals with BLM conducted controlled burns throughout the area, burning a total of 3,575 piles of slash that were generated by fire crews cutting and piling trees including Limber pine and Ponderosa pine that were encroaching into mountain shrub and meadow ecosystems. The main objective, according to the agency, is to improve forest health and reduce unwanted effects for wildfires. 
The most recent of these burns took place on Feb. 9 when 50 piles were burned, helping to restore the ecosystem function and reducing hazardous fuels. In total, 273 acres have been treated in areas surrounding Newcastle.
“Pile burning operations can last several days and will only take place when weather and fuels conditions align with requirements in the prescribed fire burn plan and from the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality to ensure impacts to air quality and chance of escape are minimal,” the release states. “Throughout the burn process, personnel will continue to monitor the burned piles as they smolder and burn down to ensure fire does not escape the project area.” 
Prior to last week’s winter storm that brought several inches of precipitation to the area, controlled burn operations had been delayed because weather conditions were not favorable. With very little precipitation received prior to the area’s most recent storm, both the BLM and private residents were encouraged to use extreme caution when conducting controlled burns, Weston County Fire Warden Daniel Tysdal said. 
“It has indeed been an exceptionally dry fall and winter so far, although late winter and spring moisture could still bring about a brighter outlook for summer,” Tysdal said in a Jan. 18 email. “Our heavy dead and down fuels are exceptionally dry for this time of year and, of course, our fine fuels (grasses) are readily available to burn in some areas of the county on any warm windy afternoon as any hint of snow recedes. Folks should continue to be cautious in areas that are snow-free and double check any controlled burns they’ve done to ensure they are completely out.” 
By the end of January, Newcastle had received only 13.7 inches of snow, a majority of which was received before the end of 2020. According to the National Weather Service, prior to last week’s storm, 2021 had brought only .4 inches of snow to Newcastle. Newcastle averages 36.3 inches of snow a year, from July to June. This season, 2020-2021 is currently the lowest snow fall since 2009 with only 13.7 inches, NWS reported at that time. The highest recorded snow fall during the same time period occurred in 2018-2019 with 63.5 inches. Last January, Newcastle received 6.6 inches of snow during the same time. 
However, NWS reports that Newcastle received 8 inches of snow on the 8th, trace amounts on the 9th and 10th, 1.4 inches on the 11th, 1.3 inches on the 12th and 1 inch between the 13th and 16th, for 11.7 inches in addition to the 13.7 reported by the end of January.