Park City Municipal has contracted Alpine Forestry to conduct pile burning operations during the Fall 2024 burn season, scheduled to begin the end of November. Details are as follows:

What is pile burning?

Pile burning is the controlled ignition of organic materials following the collection of fuels (i.e. branches, logs, dead trees, excessive underbrush, etc.). It is utilized in forest management to reduce wildfire risk and promote forest health where steep and isolated terrain eliminate options for chipping or removing material. Crews strategically construct piles from cut vegetation with the intention of controlled burning when the following conditions 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 the community, human life or property.
• Defensible space is needed to slow or stop the spread of wildfire.
• Defensible space helps protect your home and structures 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, to defend homes and structures.

What about local wildlife and vegetation?

• According to the 2022 wildlife assessment performed by Sageland Collaborative, it is recommended to avoid any wildfire mitigation activities during the breeding season, which spans from May through July.
• Forests in the region have adapted to regular intervals of disturbance, such as wildfire. In the absence of these natural disturbances, vegetation communities have changed and sometimes to the detriment of wildlife and forest health – the work performed aims to re-enact positive effects of naturally occurring wildfires.

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.

Schedule: Pile burning operations are expected to start Monday, November 25 through mid-December 2024. Work may take place on additional days throughout the Spring 2025 season if the conditions do not allow burning during the Fall 2024 timeframe. 

Locations: There are approximately 450 piles scattered throughout the following open space areas:

• Treasure Hill
• Daly/Prospect Ridge
• Ontario Mine Bench

Want to be notified of future projects in Forest Health and Wildfire Mitigation?

Visit: www.parkcity.org/how-do-i/sign-up-for-enotifications

Project Contact:

Joe Sipe, Trails & Open Space Ranger | joe.sipe@parkcity.org | 435-731-6175 ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­