Prescribed burn in Zion campground to cause temporary trail closure

ST. GEORGE — The National Park Service is managing a prescribed fire in Zion National Park’s South Campground on Thursday, according to a press release issued by the park service.

Highly trained wildland firefighters from the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service will manage the fire. They will postpone the operation if conditions are not exactly right. This approximately 26 acre prescribed fire will remove exotic grasses, leaves and other fuels to protect park visitors, adjacent landowners and park staff.

Temporary trail closure

The Pa’rus Trail will be closed between the Zion Canyon Visitor Center and the Watchman Road Junction (near the Zion Human History Museum) when the fire is burning. The park service may close other roads, trails or areas if smoke reduces visibility. Some areas may smolder for a few days, but the park service does not anticipate the fire will produce much smoke after the prescribed fire is complete.

National Park Service staff will monitor air quality and smoke including visibility on nearby roads. After the fire, wildland firefighters will continue to patrol the area and make sure it is completely out, the news release adds.

Prescribed fire 

Zion National Park begins prescribed burns, Zion National Park, date unspecified | Photo courtesy of Zion National Park, St. George News

Just like getting a prescription from a doctor to treat specific symptoms, fire managers prescribe fires to treat specific landscape conditions. Prescribed fire is a tool the park service routinely uses to manage park vegetation and reduce the amount of fuel that might be burned in a wildland fire.

Many factors must line up before the park service decides to use prescribed fire. Our top priority is to ensure public and firefighter safety.

The timing of the prescribed fire is dependent on weather conditions being within required wind, temperature and relative humidity parameters. Wildland firefighters will use fire engines, mowed lines and hand tools to create buffers and fire breaks to contain the fire.

For information on this project or other prescribed fires in Zion National Park call 435-772-7847.

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