Find out more about Star Valley RX Project

Afton Wyo., March 6, 2023 – The Greys River Ranger District is holding a community meeting at 5pm, on March 15^th, at the Afton Civic Center (416 S. Washington St Afton, WY 83110). The intent is to discuss prescribed fires conducted in 2022, provide information on fire effects, and provide information and answer questions on future efforts.

The Star Valley Front Vegetation Treatment Project is located east of Star Valley and consists of a 64,612-acre project area with 31,477-acres of proposed burn units extending from Strawberry Creek south to Cottonwood Creek, from the forest boundary to the top of the Salt River Range. The main purpose for treating vegetation in the Star Valley Front Project Area is to begin restoring a balance of age classes in mountain shrubland, mountain big sagebrush, aspen, and conifer communities. The mix of succession stages is currently heavily skewed toward older age classes. Another important purpose is to improve the vigor of vegetation on mule deer and elk winter and transition range, which is particularly relevant given the great interest in deer and elk populations in the Star Valley area.

The goals are to:

1. Contribute to a balanced mix of successional stages of major vegetation types.
2. Reduce the abundance and canopy cover of conifer trees in mountain shrub land, big sagebrush, and aspen types.
3. Rejuvenate shrubs and aspen trees, especially on mule deer and elk winter range.
4. Restore fire to its natural role on the landscape.
5. Reduce fuel loading on the landscape to reduce the extent and severity of future wildfires, both for firefighter safety and for resource protection.

This vegetation treatment is a cooperative effort between the USDA Forest Service, Wyoming Game & Fish Department, Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resources Trust, and other partners. For more information about this project, contact Greys River Ranger District at 307-886-5300.