Prescribed Burn Planned for at Grays Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Press Release

Prescribed Burn Planned October 19 at Grays Lake National Wildlife Refuge to Improve Habitat and Reduce Wildfire Risk

Oct 19, 2026

Public Contact: 208-574-2755
Media Contact: fws_press_r1@ios.doi.gov

POCATELLO, Idaho — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Wildland Fire Service will conduct a planned 279-acre prescribed fire at Grays Lake National Wildlife Refuge on October 19, conditions and weather permitting. The burn will reduce hazardous fuels buildup and help maintain defensible space for nearby structures, private property, water infrastructure and grazing allotments.

The refuge is located near Wayan, Idaho, and smoke will be visible in the surrounding area and from the Highway 34 corridor during the prescribed burn prescribed burn
A prescribed burn is the controlled use of fire to restore wildlife habitat, reduce wildfire risk, or achieve other habitat management goals. We have been using prescribed burn techniques to improve species habitat since the 1930s.

Learn more about prescribed burn . Additionally, lingering smoke will likely be visible in the same areas for several days following the prescribed burn. Smoke can affect visibility and air quality. Fire managers will monitor smoke conditions and conduct the burn under conditions intended to minimize smoke impacts to local communities. Current air-quality information is available at AirNow.gov.

This prescribed fire is part of the refuge’s ongoing land management program and is planned to reduce hazardous fuels, improve forest or rangeland health, and reduce risk to surrounding communities and other infrastructure. Prescribed fire is a tool that is carefully planned and implemented by fire managers to safely apply low-intensity fire under specific weather and fuel conditions.

Additional information on this prescribed fire will be available on the refuge website.

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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information, visit https://www.fws.gov/about/region/pacific and connect with us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Flickr, and YouTube.