Comment opens for Humboldt-Toiyabe forest plan to increase pace, scale of prescribed fires
The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest is initiating a public comment period on the proposed Forest-Wide Prescribed Fire Restoration Project. The purpose of this project is to increase the pace and scale of prescribed burning on lands within 6.2 million acres of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in Nevada and a small portion of eastern California.
“This forest-wide proposed action would provide a range of prescribed fire opportunities that can be scheduled as necessary in any given year based on priority and need,” said Forest Fuels and Vegetation Program Duncan Leao. “This proposed project would not authorize burning in designated wilderness or research natural areas.”
Prescribed fire (also known as a prescribed burn) is the use of carefully planned fire purposefully set under stringent conditions to control the fire’s effects while meeting multiple objectives. It is one way land managers can meet plant and wildlife habitat management goals, while also reducing the threat of property damage from severe wildfires.
The Forest-Wide Prescribed Fire Restoration Project would allow the Forest to conduct prescribed burns over the next several years in specific areas and burn units that could range from approximately 500 to 10,000 acres in size. These burns would be conducted within established guidelines, law, regulation and policy, and be consistent with the Humboldt and Toiyabe Land and Resource Management Plans.
“Currently, parts of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest have departed from their historic fire regime and are more susceptible to negative effects from insect infestations, disease, and wildfire,” said Leao. “It is because of our desire to improve the health of our forests that the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest uses prescribed fire as a tool to accomplish various land management goals.”
Under this large-scale proposal, the proper application of prescribed fire under optimal conditions would help decrease the threat of high intensity, high-severity wildfires; reduce the risk of insect and disease outbreak; recycle nutrients that increase soil productivity; and improve wildlife habitat.
The actual amount of burning that would occur is dependent on a variety of factors, including but not limited to funding, weather conditions, resource protection measures, and resources available to accomplish treatments each year.
The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest is encouraging public scoping comments on the proposed Forest-Wide Prescribed Fire Restoration Project through Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. A copy of the proposed action and information about how to submit your comments can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=57860.
Please submit comments online at:
https://cara.ecosystem-management.org/Public//CommentInput?Project=57860
Written comments may also be submitted to Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Attn: Forest Fuels and Vegetation Program Manager Duncan Leao, 1200 Franklin Way, Sparks Nevada, 89431. Facsimiles can be sent to 775-355-5399.
For additional information, please contact Christine Handler, Environmental Coordinator, at christine.handler@usda.gov or 559-920-2188.
For additional information on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, please visit www.fs.usda.gov/htnf or participate in the conversation at https://twitter.com/HumboldtToiyabe and https://www.facebook.com/HumboldtToiyabeNF/.
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