Bighorn National Forest Planned Pile Burning

Bighorn National Forest staff are planning pile burning operations pending required approvals and weather conditions. The prescribed fires are necessary to help reduce overgrown vegetation with the goal of protecting local communities, infrastructure and natural resources from wildfires.

According to the Bighorn National Forest Service Office, the pile burning areas include the Burgess Junction area on the Tongue Ranger District, the Big Goose area on the Tongue Ranger District, Lynx Park and sites along Highway 16 on the Powder River Ranger District, the Antelope Butte Ski area on the Medicine Wheel Ranger District, and the Crater Ridge area on the Medicine Wheel Ranger District. Residents may experience smoke during planned burning.

When driving, slow down and turn on your headlights when you encounter smoke on the road. The Forest Service will evaluate weather conditions in the hours before a burn begins, and if conditions warrant, scheduled prescribed fire activities may be canceled. County emergency management officials will be notified by the Forest Service when the planned burns begin.