KANE COUNTY, Utah, Aug. 21, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — The BLM is announcing emergency plans to repair a huge wildfire scar left last month on a national landmark.
“Last month’s Deer Springs Fire at Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument burned 11,766 acres,” the agency said in a Wednesday evening press release on the blaze which burned for more than three weeks.
“This human-caused fire burn scar now needs immediate action to stabilize and regrow the area.
“BLM Utah plans to do just that, including aerial application of a native perennial seed mix and stabilizing steeper slopes with straw baling.”
The agency has opened a required public comment period for the rehabilitation plan and its environmental assessment. For more information on the plans, and to provide comment by Aug. 28, visit: https://tinyurl.com/yeyz6z3r.
The human-caused fire started July 7, burning 11,766 acres before firefighters reached full containment on July 30.
Emergency stabilization plans include “aerial application of a native, perennial seed mix, followed by chaining and mastication” in selected areas, the BLM said.
“Stabilization efforts on slopes greater than 30 percent would include straw baling with seeded sterile wheat to reduce erosion potential.
“These stabilization efforts are designed to enhance seed distribution and soil contact, which will establish perennial cover to prevent erosion, promote infiltration of rainwater, and stop the invasion of noxious and invasive weeds.”
