State Planning Prescribed Delta Junction Burn To Improve Bison Foraging Opportunities

The following is courtesy of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game:

Prescribed Burn Planned for Delta Junction Area

(Delta Junction) – The Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection (DOF), in partnership with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG), plans to conduct prescribed burns at the Delta Junction Bison Range (DJBR) near Delta Junction beginning in early May 2025, as weather and fuel conditions allow. The burns will cover approximately 1,000 acres in the Panoramic and Gerstle field complexes.

These prescribed fires aim to enhance bison forage by stimulating new plant growth while also reducing the risk of wildfires later in the season when conditions become hotter and drier.

“Prescribed burns are a valuable habitat management tool,” said John Wagoner, Conservation Coordinator with ADFG. “They mimic the effects of naturally occurring wildfires in a controlled setting, improving soil quality and promoting native plant diversity.”

Smoke will likely be visible throughout Delta Junction during the burn, but efforts will be made to minimize its impact on the public. While the DJBR will remain open, some areas may be temporarily closed for safety. Signs will be posted at parking areas and along the highway to notify visitors of any closures.

The prescribed burn will also provide hands-on training for DOF’s wildland firefighters as they prepare for the upcoming fire season. Approximately 12 personnel will conduct the burn, which may require multiple operational periods to complete.

Firefighters will only proceed if weather conditions—including temperature, wind speed and direction, and relative humidity—fall within the parameters outlined in the burn plan. A small test burn will be conducted on the scheduled day to confirm conditions are favorable before full ignition begins.