Fire Management Options

The National Park Service uses many tools to manage our resources. Fire is one such tool. By using a combination of fire management techniques we can both reduce the risk to the public from fire and also maintain healthy ecosystems.

 
Two fire crew members work to put out a fire at the edge of a large burned area.

Fire Suppression
Extinguishing or limiting wildland fires at their discovery by utilizing the safest and most efficient suppression methods available

 
A fire crew member carrying a drip torch sets fire to a field of dry grass.

Prescribed Fire
Any fire ignited by management specialists under predetermined conditions to meet specific objectives related to hazardous fuels or habitat improvement. An approved prescribed fire plan must exist prior to ignition.

 
A view from a plane, looking down on a plateau covered in juniper trees with a large column of smoke rising.

Fires for Resource Benefit
The management of naturally ignited (lightning) wildland fires to accomplish specific pre-stated resource management objectives in predefined geographic areas outlined in Fire Management Plans.

 
Three members of a fire crew work with a chainsaw to cut and pile vegetation in a forest.

Mechanical Fuel Reduction
The removal of natural vegetation with mechanized equipment and/or hand tools. Usually limbing and thinning vegetation and disposing of the material through pile burning.

 
A ranger sprays herbicide on an invasive tamarisk tree.

Chemical Fuel Treatment
The use of herbicides to control unwanted vegetation. Follow-up treatments may include mechanical fuel reduction.

Last updated: November 11, 2021

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

Zion National Park
1 Zion Park Blvd.

Springdale, UT 84767

Phone:

435-772-3256
If you have questions, please email zion_park_information@nps.gov. Listen to recorded information by calling anytime 24 hours a day. Rangers answer phone calls from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. MT, but a ranger may not answer if they are already speaking with someone else.

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