1. U.S. Forest Service pile burning detail

The Boise National Forest in Idaho and the Malheur National Forest in Oregon are gearing up for pile-burning operations now that cooler, wetter weather is reducing wildfire risk.

BNF’s Idaho City Ranger District aims to carry out the Buckskin pile burn project in coming weeks. Ignitions could start this week depending on the weather and Idaho Department of Environmental Quality approval, according to forest officials.

Operations aim to burn material remaining from previous treatments near Pioneerville and New Centerville, about 11 miles northwest of Idaho City. Managers intend to complete about 1,500 acres of pile burning in coming weeks.

No road or trail closures are expected, according to forest officials.

Smoke may be visible from various locations, including Idaho Highway 17 from Banks to Lowman, and in Pioneerville, New Centerville and Placerville. Impacts should be short-lived, according to a release.

In the Malheur National Forest’s Blue Mountain Ranger District, staff were preparing for pile burning operations that could start as soon as this week and continue for several months.

Areas monitored for potential burning are Crown, Magone, Pluto, Starr, Orbit, Twin, Hunt and Tin.

The piles are concentrations of woody material left from vegetation management activities. Removing large accumulations of hazardous fuels during fall and winter aims to reduce wildfire risk.

Firefighters execute the burns and monitor them.