Prescribed burn planned for Farmington Bay

FARMINGTON — A prescribed fire on approximately 300 acres of shoreline in Farmington Bay will be set today by the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, in coordination with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

Depending on weather, the burn will take place this morning, with the first sections scheduled to be set ablaze between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m.

During the burn, limited sections of the area will be ignited during any given time period to maintain the fire's size and manage smoke production. Smoke will be visible for one to two hours, although it should rise well above the valley floor.

The prescribed burn is part of a comprehensive restoration plan aimed at eliminating the invasive Phragmites reed, which has infested thousands of acres along the bay.

Removal of the invasive species will enable the restoration of native wetland plants. The objective is to create a more hospitable habitat for waterfowl and a more accessible setting for the public wishing to visit the area.

Various strategies for controlling the reeds have been proposed, including mechanical removal, grazing and chemicals. Most of the land is covered by water or mud, making fire the best tactic, officials said.

In addition to damage they do to natural wetlands and recreational uses, the plants grow up to 14 feet tall, creating an untreatable breeding habitat for mosquitoes, which have been tested positive for the West Nile virus in Davis County.

— Amy Joi O'Donoghue