Grand Teton National Park announces plans for prescribed fire in April

News and Adventure from Glacier National Park

Grand Teton National Park is planning a 196-acre prescribed fire near Mormon Row, starting as early as April 9, if conditions allow. The prescribed fire treatment area is located east of Blacktail Butte and south of Mormon Row, between Gros Ventre and Antelope Flats roads. The primary vegetation in the prescribed fire area consists of invasive grasses and noxious weeds.

The 196-acre prescribed fire area is part of the larger 4,000-acre Hayfields Restoration Management Area, which aims to restore fallow hayfields in Grand Teton National Park to native vegetation. Removing non-native vegetation will also benefit wildlife, such as bison, elk, pronghorn, sage grouse, and songbirds, and will reduce fuels near historic park structures in case of a wildfire.

In collaboration with park vegetation ecologists, fire managers will use prescribed fire to prepare for future herbicide applications, which supports the long-term transition from non-native grasses back to native rangeland species. This restoration is part of a site improvement project for the Mormon Row Historic District that honors the site’s history while creating a safer, more accessible, and more immersive experience for visitors. The timing and execution of the prescribed fire depends on favorable burning conditions to ensure safety and maximize ecological benefits. Weather and other factors will be evaluated to determine if conditions are optimal to achieve the project’s objectives.

Smoke from the prescribed fire will be visible the day of the burn, mostly during the warmest part of the day. With cooler temperatures in the evening, smoke may linger and accumulate in low-lying areas. Every effort will be made to minimize smoke impacts on visitors and the adjacent community. To monitor wildfire smoke concentrations near Grand Teton National Park and learn how to minimize exposure, please visit https://fire.airnow.gov/

The prescribed fire is expected to take one day to complete. No area closures are expected with this operation, but park staff may pause traffic briefly to allow firefighters to safely work along the road, if necessary. Prescribed fire signs will be placed along adjacent roads before and during firing operations. Drivers are asked to slow down and use caution as fire vehicles and personnel may be working near the roadway.

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