Was that smoke coming from Southfork earlier this week? Yes.
Shonshone National Forest fire and fuels crews were burning some slash piles between Legg Creek and Cabin Creek in the corridor of the South Fork of the Shoshone River. Kristie Salvmann, Public Information Officer for the Forest, explains that this is a fairly safe practice at this time of year. The slash is wood, branches, and debris from vegetation clearing projects. In this case, the Forest is trying to open the area up for bighorn sheep. Plans for this project were finalized and made public in Fall 2019.
Salvmnn says that any fires burning in the area would have a hard time catching due to all the recent snow in the area. But we should always stay alert for smoke and fires, regardless of the time of year. Make sure planned burns occur on good days with low winds and moist conditions, and notify the Sheriff’s Office before commencing with the burn.
Smoke is likely to be seen for the next few days from the Shoshone Forest burns.
