Prescribed burning is underway in the Flaming Gorge Ranger District. According to Ashley National Forest representative Louis Haynes, burning on Dowd Mountain began on Friday, May 12th, and is expected to treat about 1500 acres of forest when complete. “Ponderosa pine forests are adapted to frequent fire,” shares Haynes. “The historic natural fire return interval in the ponderosa pine forests on the Flaming Gorge Ranger District of the Ashley National Forest is around 15 to 30 years.” Ponderosa pine trees have thick bark that allows them to survive and thrive with frequent surface fire. This keeps the forest healthy by reducing fuels and helping with species diversity and vegetation. Without prescribed burning, the forest has fuels build up to a dangerous level and more severe wildfires result.
