Efforts to boost the overall health of a swath of forest in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area near Smiley Creek continued last weekend with the controlled burning of about 50 acres.
"We want to kill most of the conifer trees and old aspen in this area," said Matt Filbert, fuels planner for the SNRA. "Doing this will result in profuse re-sprouting of aspen, leading to a stronger, healthier stand of trees."
The burn, which is part of a multi-year effort to rejuvenate aspen stands and curb encroachment of conifer trees and other competitive vegetation in about 230 acres near the Pole Creek area, north of Ketchum, was partly financed by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
"Their help is so important to us," Filbert said. "I want to stress to hunters that while there are some short-term negative impacts to them, because areas are closed, there is a great overall benefit in the long run."
Aspen trees are a key ingredient in a healthy forest ecosystem, providing nesting habitat for 13 species of birds, and food and cover for grouse, deer and elk. The trees rely on fire to sprout new, healthy stands to replace old, dying ones.
It's estimated that more than 60 percent of aspen trees in Idaho have been lost due to fire suppression, disease and competitive plant and tree species, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Treasured for their fall colors, the trees also slow the progression of wildfires.
Last October, fire managers burned about 80 acres in the same area and, according to Filbert, "the resprouting of grasses and forbs is impressive."
Fire managers ignited the burn with drip torches—specially designed metal canisters that hold a mixture of diesel and gasoline—in a pattern that controlled the spread and intensity of the fire.
Firefighters were placed around the vicinity of the burn to keep the flames from spreading.
Filbert said this year's burn went so smoothly that "we may get a little more aggressive next year, if the weather cooperates."
Fuels planner Matt Filbert (far right with back to the camera) briefs a crew at Pole Creek about a prescribed burn over the weekend. Photo by Chris Pilaro
