The United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Havasu National Wildlife Refuge will be conducting a prescribed fire scheduled to occur Thursday (January 31, 2008) weather permitting. The Refuge is continuing a proactive land management approach by using fire as a tool. A single 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 of approximately 280 acres in size will reduce the future possibility of wildfires while enhancing critical wildlife habitat.
Prescribed burning, under an approved plan with adequate firefighting resources, and appropriate weather conditions is the best method to prevent loss from a wildfire and is an effective habitat management tool. Firefighters from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Bureau of Land Management will conduct the burn.
Prescribed burning reduces the total amount of vegetation and mimics the natural disturbance events that once occurred along the Colorado River . Refuge biologists work closely with Refuge fire personnel to develop a plan that will benefit wildlife and promote the habitat needs of endangered species. 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 at Havasu National Wildlife 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. Highway 95 and Lake Havasu City may be impacted by smoke for short periods of time. Smoke may also be visible from Interstate 10 and the surrounding areas.
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