Controlled burn planned near Henry’s Lake

As firefighters work to douse unintentional wildfires throughout the west, the Nature Conservancy has announced plans to intentionally burn 250 acres of pasture land near Henry’s Lake.

The land is located on the conservancy’s Flat Ranch Preserve. It is designed to improve plant diversity and grazing for cattle, but will also benefit elk, moose, pronghorn, and other wildlife species.

The Nature Conservancy said fire is a natural part of the grassland ecosystem and helps maintain it. According to a news release, “It warms up the soil and reduces the leaf litter that accumulates each year, allowing sunlight to penetrate.” And that warmth releases nutrients that new grasses and flowers need to grow.

According to the conservancy, weather conditions appear to be favorable for the controlled burn sometime between Wednesday and Friday of this week. The U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will also participate in the controlled burn.