Forests and Rangelands Success Story
East Mesa Prescribed Fire Stops Wildland Fire
Zion National Park, Utah
National Fire Plan - Firefighting
2008
The East Mesa Prescribed Fire was completed in May 2008 in the same area as the Lemmon Fire ignited.
On August 1, 2008, a wildland fire was reported near the eastern boundary of Zion National Park within the area of the East Mesa Prescribed Fire (Rx). A wildland engine from Zion, one from the state and a local VFD responded to the Lemmon Fire and found a large ponderosa pine on fire. The burned top had fallen out of the tree, but due to the recent prescribed fire conducted in the area, was not able to spread. The firefighters dropped the ponderosa snag and were then easily able to extinguish the fire. Had the top of the tree fallen in an area that had not been treated, the fire could have spread to surrounding vegetation and threatened the park boundary and private lands and numerous structures adjacent to the park.
The two year, 2,300 acre East Mesa Prescribed Fire project was completed in May 2008. The area been previously identified as one of the six original wildland urban interface "Focus Areas" located in the Color Country Interagency Fire Management Area that required some type of immediate fuel reduction treatment to protect communities/properties at risk from the threat of wildland fire. The objectives of the East Mesa Prescribed Fire were to provide protection for surrounding property and structures, reduce fuel loading, and restore fire to its natural role in the ecosystem.
This is a good example of how a prescribed fire treatment can stop or slow the movement of a wildland fire by reducing or eliminating the fuels the fire needs. The treated area also allows firefighters the time and safer conditions they need to be able to contain and extinguish the fire.
The East Mesa Prescribed Fire will benefit both Zion National Park and the landowners and residents of the East Zion area. The burn provides the landowners with a lower wildland fire risk, and benefits the plants and animals of the fire-adapted ponderosa pine ecosystem.
Contact: David Eaker, Fire Communication and Education Specialist, (435) 772-7811.