News
Winter Pile Burning Planned in the Bighorn National Forest

With the return of winter conditions to the Bighorn National Forest and the expectation that snow will remain for the season, pile burning will begin soon. The Forest Service stated in a media release that while the Elk Fire is not at full containment, actions needed on that fire are winding to a close and local crews will now begin completing planned fuels reduction projects by burning piles made during forest thinning projects, mostly done near structures to increase defensible space. November and December are good months to burn piles before the snow is too deep at higher elevations hampering access and safety for crews.
On the Tongue River District, there are several small areas near Burgess Junction where thinning was done near structures to better protect them in the event of wildfire. Many of the areas threatened by the Elk Fire were proactively treated during previous thinning and pile burning activities, aiding firefighter efforts during that incident. Similarly, piles from thinning work around structures in the Big Goose area within the Sheridan Municipal Watershed need burned. Smoke from these pile burns may be visible in the Sheridan area.
