Controlled fire near Logan planned for Monday

LOGAN — National Forest fire management teams are planning to burn a 7,000 acre area near Logan in an effort to rejuvenate area aspen tree populations and benefit the local wildlife, officials said.

The Hells Hollow prescribed fire will be managed by Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest management teams in a joint effort with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. The burn is planned for a total of 7,000 acres, but teams initially will burn two areas comprising 4,000 acres. They'll burn others based on fuel and weather conditions, said Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest spokesperson Kathy Jo Pollock.

Pollock said the burn could take place anytime before the end of November, but they are aiming for Monday. Depending on the weather and fuel conditions, Pollock said the burn should last only a day or two.

The burn will take place 14 miles east of Logan, but Pollock said it will mostly effect hunters and other "recreationalists" in the forest area. As for Logan residents, Pollock said there is a possibility they will see smoke, but there will be few other effects.

Ultimately, Pollock said hunters, wildlife and area forestation will benefit from the burn as it will clear out dead leaves and other debris to make way for younger aspen trees, which wildlife prefer.

Pollock said prescribed fires decrease the likelihood of forest fires by "reducing hazardous fuels." The fires will be completely managed by fire crews who will ignite the fires, monitor them and then ensure they are fully extinguished.

— Emiley Morgan