Prescribed burning planned

About 1,300 acres in central Weston County are planned for treatment with a prescribed burn, according to a March 31 release from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. 

“Building on a previous prescribed fire in the area, USDA Forest Service fire/fuels staff are planning to implement spring burning in the Upton/Osage area of the Thunder Basin National Grassland,” the release says. “Throughout April and into May, weather forecasts predict suitable weather and fuel moisture conditions to provide a window of opportunity for the vegetation treatment on approximately 1,300 acres.” 

The proposed Clay Spur burn unit is located on National Forest System lands managed by the Douglas Ranger District. The area set to be burned borders natural fuel breaks, roads, livestock trails and creek bottoms. 

The other area is 16 miles northwest of Newcastle and 5 miles north of Osage, immediately west of Kellog Reservoir. This area is composed of ponderosa pine, intermixed with juniper, cottonwoods with grass and sagebrush flats at an elevation of 4,600 feet. 

According to the release, roughly 500 acres were successfully burned in the area during spring 2021, as well as 300 acres in spring 2023 and 1,200 acres in spring 2024. 

“Much of the vegetation within the project area has not experienced fire in the past 50-100 years. The Clay Spur treatment will mimic historically natural fire disturbances by burning in a mosaic pattern,” the release says. “The burn will benefit a variety of vegetative species and their age class diversity, as well as wildlife habitat and domestic stock pasture. Fire danger will also be reduced by removing potentially hazardous fuels.”

The release notes that the necessary smoke permits have been obtained from the state and that smoke will likely be visible in surrounding communities and along U.S. Highway 16. 

Each burn planned by the agency has gone through an environmental analysis and detailed burn plans are developed in advance.