The United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Havasu National Wildlife Refuge, will be conducting a 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 on March 13, 14 or 15 depending on weather conditions. The prescribed burn has two objectives. The first is to reduce the accumulation of dead vegetation to help prevent wildfires that may adversely affect the Refuge and the surrounding area. The second objective is the continuation of a long-term research project designed to monitor the effects of fire on endangered species habitat.
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 assisting local refuge fire management personnel.
Refuge biologists are working closely with University of Arizona researchers to develop long-term management goals that will benefit wildlife and promote the habitat needs of endangered species such as the Yuma Clapper Rail. All burn plans are developed and implemented using national standards designed by qualified fire management personnel. Prescribed burn plans are extensively reviewed and must be approved by the Refuge Manager prior to ignition.
Fire management personnel on the Refuge 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 Needles, Bullhead City, Laughlin, Golden Shores, Mohave Valley, Topoc and along Highway 95 and I-40.
More information is available by calling the Refuge at 760-326-3853 between the hours of 7:30 a.m. ? 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
