The United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Imperial National Wildlife Refuge, will be conducting two prescribed fires, beginning February 3 and continuing through February 4. The Refuge is continuing a proactive approach by using fire as a management tool. The 2004 goal of 630 acres will reduce the future possibility of a wildfire while enhancing critical wildlife habitat. One other burn on the Havasu NWR will be conducted later in the week.
Prescribed burning, under an approved plan with adequate firefighting resources, is the best method to prevent loss from a wildfire. Firefighters from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs will be conducting the fire operations.
Prescribed burning reduces the total amount of vegetation and promotes native species that have naturally evolved with fire. Refuge biologists work closely with Refuge fire personnel to develop a plan that will benefit wildlife and promote the habitat needs of endangered species such as the Yuma clapper rail. Prescribed burning treatments while expensive, may cost as little as one tenth that of a large scale, wildfire suppression effort. All burn plans are developed using National standards by qualified and experienced fire management professionals. They are extensively reviewed and must be approved by the Refuge Manager prior to ignition.
Fire Management personnel on the Imperial NWR will closely monitor weather and fuel conditions to maximize results and minimize smoke impacts on adjacent communities. Burns will only be conducted during the daytime hours. Smoke may be visible to residents in Martinez Lake and along Hwy 95 and the Yuma Proving Grounds.
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