April 19, 2006 - Refuge fire crew assists Stillwater NWR with
emergency prescribed burn Heavy rains and increasing snow melt
resulted in pressure for quick measures to move large quantities
of water through Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge
has a series of canals designed to facilitate just such an
effort, however a major section was thickly overgrown with tule
reeds and posed a risk of clogging and potential flooding. A
crew from Klamath Basin traveled to Fallon, NV, and burned
nearly 10 miles of canals, significantly reducing the thick
vegetation and increasing flow ability. Weather and holding
conditions permitted the crew only two days of burning before
new rains inundated roads and limited access. Refuge managers
report the burns increased their ability to safely deliver water
through the refuge. See pictures from the burn on the Stillwater
NWR Stills page.