NOTICE: Spring 2024 Pile Burning Operations

Park City Municipal has contracted Alpine Forestry to conduct pile burning operations during the Spring 2024 burn season. Details are as follows:

Schedule: Pile burning operations are expected to begin April 17, 2024. Work may take place on additional suitable days throughout the spring burning season.

What is Pile Burning?

Pile burning is the controlled ignition of organic materials following the removal of wildfire fuels (i.e. dead trees, excessive underbrush, etc). It is utilized in defensible space efforts where steep terrain and isolated areas eliminate the options for chipping or removing material. Crews strategically construct piles from cut vegetation with the intention of burning the piles when the following criteria are met:

• Weather conditions support minimal smoke dispersal.
• Snow and/or other precipitation provide adequate moisture in the burn area and in the pile contents.
• Appropriate tools and staffing are available.

Why perform this work?

• Park City lies within the Wildland Urban Interface – this means conditions are conducive to a large-scale wildland fire event, thereby posing a significant threat to human life and property.
• Defensible space helps protect your home from catching fire—either from embers, direct flame contact, or radiant heat.
• Proper defensible space also provides firefighters with a safe area to work in, in the event they are needed to defend your home.
• What about local wildlife and vegetation?
• According to the 2022 wildlife assessment (Full report: bit.ly/Wildlife22) performed by Sageland Collaborative, it is recommended that wildfire mitigation activities are avoided during the breeding/nesting season, which spans from May through July.
• Forests in our region have evolved to withstand regular intervals of disturbance, such as wildfire. Naturally occurring wildfires are an important part of the forests’ life cycle– the work performed aims to mimic the positive effects of wildfires in the forest while lowering the risk to surrounding infrastructure.

What to Expect:

• Smoke will be visible during operations and as piles smolder overnight.
• Piles may remain hot for several days after ignition.
• Crews will be igniting and monitoring piles until all heat is extinguished.
• Crew vehicles will be parked on the roadside near work sites.
• Trail/Area closures will be placed as necessary.

What will this look like?

Locations: There are approximately 800 piles scattered throughout the following open space areas (see below map of work area). These areas include: Treasure Hill, Rossi Hill, Daly/Prospect Ridge, and in open space below the Ontario Lodge.

Project Contact: Trails & Open Space Department | trails@parkcity.org | 435-615-5176