Michelle Erdie is the Sawtooth National Forest Fire Prevention and Education Specialist.
The Forest Service contracted helicopter based in Hailey, Helicopter 352, has been busy supporting fire management operations following last week's thunderstorms. Thirteen fires were reported on Thursday, August 7th throughout the Sawtooth National Forest and the Twin Falls BLM District. Three lightning strike fires occurred within the north zone of the Sawtooth National Forest. One fire was a single tree in the Sawtooth Wilderness that burned itself out. A second fire occurred northwest of Stanley near the Salmon-Challis Forest border and was suppressed by fire personnel. The third fire was suppressed near Norton Creek located northwest of Ketchum. The Fairfield District received multiple lightning strike fires over the last week that resulted in two fires that were immediately contained and controlled by fire crews and five wildfire use fires.
What is Wildfire Use? Wildfire Use is the management of a wildland fire started by natural causes (usually lightning), to accomplish specific pre-stated resource management objectives in a predefined geographic area outlined in Fire Management Plans. It allows fire to play its natural role and is closely managed by fire specialists. Traditionally Wildfire Use was a wilderness program, but has been expanded to other areas of the forest. Areas such as the Wildland-Urban Interface that still need to be protected from effects of wildfire are not considered for Wildfire Use.
There are many benefits of Wildfire Use. Allowing fire to take its natural course opens a seedbed for new plants, helps control plant disease, naturally thins smaller trees and prunes lower limbs of larger trees. Fire reduces underbrush that could fuel a much larger fire, protects plants and animals that depend on fire by improving habitats and watersheds, and reduces wildfire suppression costs.
