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Show 'RKShtefr X V6 ftWSS? hii.i iihiihh mriawm SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS r -- I y-- .ui w '1-- (JK.ImA, A Community WEDNESDAY MAY 13, 1998 -- 1 24 sJ "i I k V 1 il' A aJ - S - "rv 1 i i tf 41 4 A ' t Jf 41 A ' 1 Ail' i!u Pt J H f i i i - - f f - p - , ' b''-"- 1 I I 1 -- - T ni . - J a -- r ,. 4 V Li U: s I V4" : It 4 1 c :; .Ti , V- v ? i - f- f- -l - D'!!nons'chG-,- ' -- l .- i 4 v 4 ui in;uo Ci I Xa . -- ' C-l- i yuaV,! i i IB I , r ! r1K IIPiL C i. A s g I V4 J ground or cvorhead cs energized r ,, s 9 ?"? g Stay away from substations or ; A anything merl:ed Danger: High Voltage Uusfe. utdoor electric safety is important to all of us especially this time of year when were outside more. With the help of. some of last years winners in Utah Powers Electric Safety Contest, we want to make you aware of some of the potentially hazardous situations you and your kids can get into while working or playing outdoors . ; , . (fs no accident! t l( I irAlf I- - w i rr A- a crr'! - w 'Jlk A PacifiCorp Company low-intensi- ty cern with park management. Close coordination with state air quality and National tion to mitigate the potential for adverse impacts to area residents and the visiting public. As part of the burn prescription, day and night smoke management concerns will be continually monitored. Under the guidance of an approved Fire Management Plan, park personnel, with the assistance of area land managers are planwildlife. ning the execution of several For nearly 90 years, fire was prescribed fire projects at the considered bad and all forest park, including: fires were vigorously supResidential - 180 acres, scheduled to be pressed. Starting in the early 1980s, researchers began to burned in late rpring. Objecnotice major changes in forest tives to be met by this project health at Bryce Canyon National are primarily to reduce hazard Park as well as throughout the fuel accumulations in and west. Research has shown that around the parks residential and maintenance areas. This will be naturally occurring fires in the ponderosa pine a step in the right direction to forests occurred about every 5 to mitigate a serious wildfire situ7 years at Bryce Canyon prior to ation from occurring, and prothe arrival of the settlers in the viding a measure of defense in 1870s. the event a wildfire does occur Early settlers described the in this area. forest as being open enough to East Creek drive a wagon and team of 1,203 acres, also scheduled horses through. However, many to take place this spring. Objecchanges have resulted from the tives include the reduction of exclusion of fire over the years. hazard fuels and greenleaf manResearch has shown the num- zanita and promote native ber of saplings has increased by grasses and forbs. 300. As a result of this in- Yovimpa Point and Agua - 880 acres, this project will crease in saplings, a closed canopy has developed where begin later this fall. The purspecies struggle to pose of this burn is also to resurvive, and allow for the en- duce fuel buildup and white fir croachment of shade tolerate encroachment and aid in the species such as fir to establish reduction of mistletoe infested themselves. These conditions trees. lend themselves the opportuAs always, safety will be a to wildfire reach the primary concern with these nity for crowns and increase in intensi- projects. Protection of life and ties. In part, the desired forest property is of the utmost conconditions include for a mix of cern. The National Park Serponderosa pine of various age vice in its appreciation and unclasses at the lower elevations, derstanding of the role and namixed with aspen and Douglas ture of fire, is able to view fire fir on the higher, cooler sites. In as a natural process and a valuaddition, a decrease in the num- able management tool in manber of low growing manzanita aging our fire dependent ecoshrubs will promote native ; systems. low-intensi- Si grasses and forbs to flourish. These desired conditions will allow for more forage availability and allow managers to safely control prescribed fires. Smoke and air quality issues and its potential impacts to life and property are of special con- in heavy accumulations of dead and down woody fuels, encroachment of Douglas fir, white fir, and the establishment of undesirable shrubs. These conditions prohibit regeneration of ponde-ros- a pine, aspen and native grasses and forbs, which are indicators of good forest health and provide quality forage for elk, deer and numerous other r&rtj V This spring, park personnel at Bryce Canyon National Park plan to resume their prescribed fire program. Under this program, the park is planning several prescribed fire projects with several objectives in mind: to reduce hazardous fuel accumulations, to perpetuate natural processes in a firedependent ecosystem and provide for the protection from catastrophic wild- fire. Weather Service personnel is Since the park was established managements responsibility in in 1928, wildland fires have been providing for the best availroutinely suppressed, resulting able technologies and informa- va:&uT fA, .. I fi. rA v f 4fr nm f - ' ,J " bs.flovniinnn-fri- I k vf liiles f.;;;l Oi ".' 1 Bryce Canyon resumes prescribed fire program t J A :r-S5St- ? 4 r r w ,'srt z. ""v,: A v-rr- 4 w ,3 t I Z ii7. v i 'in.' ."srrr j l W 1T1 ' "A Qp: . i ; ''vt x 4 ' p. rz Px'! f S I . A I ! , x 'H ' S '! 1 i t J l r " ' , K. i , t ji: i ! i i - i P ty sun-tolera- te L'j:yxjrxhX vr POOR |