The Chugach National Forest fire management staff, with the support of wildland firefighters from Chugachmiut, are planning prescribed pile burning on 16 acres of forest lands at Cooper Creek South Campground in Cooper Landing.
Burn activity is scheduled for Monday, April 17.
Prescribed burning of slash piles created because of ongoing spruce beetle mitigation and hazardous fuels reduction projects is necessary to reduce wildfire potential and reduce wildfire severity if one were to occur. About 200 acres are planned for hazardous fuels reduction activity in spring 2023.
Forest Service personnel will closely monitor local environmental conditions and work with the National Weather Service to assess weather patterns most favorable to smoke dispersion, minimizing smoke impacts to the public, fire management personnel, populated areas, and highway corridors.
Some residual smoke could be present along the highway corridor in the late evenings and early mornings following prescribed burning activity. Motorists in these areas should exercise caution.