Prescribed Fire on Desert NWR Complex

USFWS Photo

Prescribed Fire - Pahranagat NWR 2004

USFWS Photo

Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge was established in August 1963 to provide a feeding and resting area for migratory waterfowl and other migratory birds. To reduce the threat of hazardous wildland fire, and to maintain desirable wildlife habitat, highly trained U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff, with assistance from the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Department of Energy, and members of the local volunteer fire department conducted a prescribed fire on November 23, 2004.

A prescribed fire is an application of fire when conditions are favorable, to reduce accumulated build up of vegetation that has the potential to support an uncontrollable wildfire during the summer months, when conditions are hot and dry.

USFWS Photo

Another benefit of prescribed fire, is the improvement of habitat for waterfowl and other migratory birds such as sandhill cranes. These birds and other wildlife will take advantage of new growth that the prescribed fire will generate.

Want to learn more about prescribed fire? Additional information can be found at the National Fire Mangement Website.