Caribou-Targhee National Forest continues fuels reduction project in Alpine area

The Caribou-Targhee National Forest resumed fuel reduction work on June 3 to reduce the risk of wildfire adjacent to private lands in the Rees and Aspen Ridge subdivisions, according to a press release.

Work began last summer but was not completed due to a busy wildfire season with fire management resources assisting in suppression activities across the West, according to the release.

Crews will work along public and private land boundaries in the area between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. over the next few weeks. Some recreation sites may be closed or impacted during the project, the press release said. The Forest Service encourages visitors to avoid the area.

The Alpine Fuels Project was designed to reduce forest vegetation in the vicinity of Alpine in response to public concern over forest fuel buildup in areas adjacent to homes, the release said. The project will focus on cutting down smaller trees, which can act as ladder fuels, which carry the fire from the forest floor to the tree canopy, causing a crown fire.

The brush and limbs generated from the treatments will be piled on site and burned next year when Idaho has cool, wet weather conditions. Forest Service officials ask that the public not disturb the piles.

To learn more about how you can make your home resilient to wildfire go http://readyforwildfire.org.

For up-to-date project information on these efforts, contact the Palisades Ranger District office at 208-523-1412.