USDA News Release
The quick suppression of the Verdure Creek Wildfire in October of 2024 was significantly aided by previous prescribed burning and thinning efforts by Forest Service crews within the area. The 157-acre wildfire co-mingled with the prescribed burn areas of the Shingle Mill vegetation management project, as well as previously thinned areas around the private land at Blue Mountain Ranch. Both fuels reduction efforts in the area proved effective in mitigating fire behavior, especially when considering that the Verdure Creek Wildfire ignited within a canyon. In a recent interview with Manti-La Sal National Forest’s South Zone Fuels Specialist, Tim Spurr, he explained that, “fires within canyons typically see greater spread, fuel consumption, and overall growth due to having preheated upslope foliage, with consistent wind due to natural drafting, which can result in increased fire activity if the conditions are right, however, due to favorable conditions and previous fuels applications within the area, fire behavior was slowed, and spread was reduced within previously treated areas”.
How Fuels Reduction Influenced Verdure Creek Wildfire
In Verdure Creek’s scenario, the atmospheric conditions were favorable and cooling as the wildfire moved north and away from the Blue Mountain Ranch homes, toward a natural barrier, with the east and west flanks of the fire spreading into areas previously treated with prescribed fire, thinning and mastication. These areas had fewer ignition sources and opportunity for growth because the fuel load had been reduced. These positive conditions combined to show clear results: where fire burned in areas not previously treated, the fire had more fuel to burn and gained traction, but when it hit the treated areas, it slowed, reduced spread, and stayed inside the lines provided by aerial water applications and line created by firefighters on the ground.
Encouragement for Fuels Reduction
These results and fire behavior demonstrate the importance and effectiveness of managing forest fuel loads to make wildfires less impactful while bringing to light the likelihood of ignitions due to ease of access, frequent human interface, and need for fuel reduction within the area. For these reasons, the Manti-La Sal National Forest will continue with their work within the Shingle Mill project area as conditions allow.
Before the Verdure Creek Wildfire
It’s no secret that things change quickly in the world of fuels and fire. In early October, after waiting through the dog days of summer for optimal burning conditions, Manti-La Sal National Forest fire officials completed 87 acres of prescribed burning within the Shingle Mill project area outside of Monticello, UT. The Shingle Mill area is a close-by, local favorite for the residents of Monticello, with access so close to town that many people simply ride their UTVs to the area from their homes. The area is enjoyed by many, therefore increasing the likelihood of human-caused wildfire. To reduce the risk of catastrophic, uncontrolled fire in the area, the Shingle Mill fuels reduction project has been ongoing for several seasons to reduce fuel load while encouraging recreation, wildlife, and healthy ecosystems. This season, however, prescribed burning efforts were put into patrol status early due to needs on a national scale to support fighting wildfires needing personnel and resource support. Six days after the Shingle Mill prescribed burn was put into patrol status, a wildfire ignited south of the Shingle Mill project area, burning north with the prevailing southwest winds. Rarely do we get to have such a clear illustration around the benefits and positive outcomes of prescribed fuels reduction, however, the Verdure Creek Wildfire’s activity within the Shingle Mill project area is a prime example of why and how prescribed fuels reduction is effective in discouraging catastrophic wildfire behavior and encourages desirable outcomes for the landscape.
Prescribed Fire is Effective for Forest Clean Up
Fuels reduction efforts come in a variety of flavors depending on the needs of the landscape. The Shingle Mill area in particular, is has a large component of Ponderosa pine and oak, which means every couple of years, the landscape benefits from light application of fire to clean up pine needle litter, and reduce ladder fuels such as low-lying limbs, dense shrubs, and woody debris. According to the Manti-La Sal National Forest’s South Zone Fuels Specialist, Tim Spurr in a recent interview, he explained that prescribed fire differs greatly from wildfire in a number of ways, but notably, burning surface-level fuels without igniting root structures deep within the soil helps to clean up and stimulate forest ecosystems without greatly disturbing the areas in which its applied. Post treatment, in the event of a wildfire, these areas typically have higher canopies that are open, with less fuel to burn, and fewer ladder fuels that would otherwise allow fire to potentially creep into the upper portion of trees to create a crown or canopy fire which can have detrimental effects within tree stands.
How Prescribed Fire Helps Ponderosa Pines and Wildlife on the Manti-La Sal National Forest
Interestingly, just as our hands build callouses from working with tools in the yard, prescribed fire application within Ponderosa pine forests stimulates the growth of thicker bark to reduce susceptibility of being killed by ground fire. Reducing fuels via prescribed fire, thinning and mastication treatments also encourage a ‘park-like’ setting within forested areas by removing tree litter, needle cast, reducing ladder fuels, and cleaning up the understory. This approach encourages more open forests that wildfire is less likely to decimate, while increasing the production of forage for wildlife like elk and deer. Specifically, within the Moab and Monticello areas of the Manti-La Sal National Forest, the Abert’s squirrel, also referred to as the tassel-eared squirrel, greatly benefits from healthy Ponderosa pine stands as they are closely associated with, and largely confined to, this specific forest type for their habitat. Prescribed fuels reduction has been shown to improve habitat conditions for this species by increasing cone production of pine trees and stimulating the growth of mycorrhizal root fungus; these important food sources for the tassel-eared squirrel are a foundational aspect of keeping their population healthy while providing additional ecosystem benefits.
Prescribed burning reduces competing vegetation and eliminates dead plant material. This material can obstruct agricultural operations and decrease forage quality for grazing wildlife and livestock. Competition also reduces the availability of water, nutrients, and sunlight for desirable forage species (Adlam, 2023). Prescribed burning improves rangeland health (Pros and Cons of Burning 2024) in the following ways:
- Increasing forage productivity and protein content.
- Reducing encroaching woody vegetation. In our area, oak brush can make some areas almost impossible to move through.
- Making forage available earlier in the year than in unburned areas.
- Increasing plant diversity, which usually increases wildlife diversity and ecosystem health.
- Increasing legumes in plant communities Inhibiting woody encroachment in prairies and excessive woody understory growth in forests and woodlands.
- Reducing overabundant fire-sensitive species—such plants become overabundant only due to the absence of fire Increasing herbaceous production (e.g., grasses, forbs and sedges) in forests and woodlands.
- Increasing plant palatability, nutrient content, and availability for herbivores, commonly for 3-6 months post-burn.
- Decreasing wildfire risk by removing accumulated fuels, commonly for 1-2 years post-burn.
- Influencing grazing distribution of large herbivores, both domestic and wild, across a landscape—can be used in lieu of interior fencing
Recreation and Prescribed Fire
While it may seem that prescribed fuels treatment doesn’t have much to do with recreation, it’s important to realize that the public benefits from prescribed fuels treatments over time on multiple levels. From hunting to hiking, cycling, camping, motor vehicle use, wildlife viewing, and more, recreationalists can certainly benefit from the open, park-like settings that result from fuels reduction efforts on the land. This management is an essential part of encouraging habitat that supports recreation through fostering wildlife habitat, healthy soils, stable watersheds, and sustained forest health for an enjoyable recreation experience within a national forest.
Patience of Locals Contributes to Successful Fuels Reduction
It is notable and admirable that the communities surrounding Monticello, and the Blue Mountain Ranch homes have been extremely patient and supportive during past fuels reduction efforts ranging from thinning to mulching, mastication, and prescribed burns. In response to the Verdure Wildfire efforts, the Blue Mountain Land Owner’s Association Officers and Members sent the following letter to the Manti-La Sal National Forest’s Moab District Ranger, Michael Englehart, stating:
“On behalf of the Blue Mountain Land Owner’s Association, Officers and Members wish to express our heart felt appreciation for your skilled efforts in keeping all our homes and vacation cabins safe during the Verdure Creek Fire. The cooperation of all agencies involved is truly appreciated. Each of those people fighting this fire did so putting their lives in peril to save our property. Thank you so much from a very grateful Association. Please pass on our appreciation and gratitude to all the agencies involved along with all the individuals. On a personal note, Jeff and I want to thank you for keeping us informed of the situation.”
Thank You
The cooperation of local communities, stakeholders, and local officials has been instrumental in completing fuels reduction work safely, effectively, and on time across the Manti-La Sal National Forest. Fuels reduction efforts rely on local burn windows, weather, moisture levels, and air quality requirements to ensure the least impact possible for surrounding communities. While forest officials understand that temporary smoke and less accessibility to your favorite forested area is an inconvenience during prescribed fuels treatment, the results from the Verdure Creek wildfire illustrates that these temporary inconveniences are far more desirable than the alternative of a catastrophic wildfire. The Manti-La Sal National Forest thanks all internal fire personnel and cooperation from partner agencies, local resources, and surrounding community members for their support.