Some concern were had by residents of Star Valley Friday afternoon due to smoke seen rising above the south end. Shortly after 2:00 p.m. a fire was reported and the Afton Volunteer Fire Department responded to the Smith’s Fork area.

However, the smoke was from a controlled burn being conducted by the Bridger-Teton National Forest north of Kemmerer in the Hams Fork area. Greys River District Ranger Justin Laycock confirmed that no fires have been in the area other than the prescribed burn, which has been conducted throughout the week.

“It put up a decent column of smoke that could be seen from Star Valley,” Laycock told SVI Media. “All has gone well and as planned with the Rx fire.”

The Afton Volunteer Fire Department also confirmed to SVI Media that there response to Smith’s Fork ended up being for the smoke from the controlled burn.

The latest information from the U.S. Forest Service, provided Friday afternoon, stated that “Fire crews have completed unit 6 of the Hams Fork Vegetation Project and plan to begin implementing prescribed fire on unit 8 this afternoon and evening, as weather conditions allow. During Rx fire operations, smoke may be visible from the cities of Kemmerer, LaBarge and Cokeville, WY.”

More information on the controlled burn can be found on Inciweb by clicking here.