“BLM Sets Controlled Burns to Sustain Health of Public Lands”

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is planning to conduct prescribed burns on some of the 245 million acres of public land it manages, primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska. This is part of the bureau’s mission to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the enjoyment of current and future generations.

Prescribed burns are a common land management technique used to reduce the risk of larger, uncontrolled wildfires, improve habitat for wildlife, and restore and maintain the health of ecosystems. The BLM’s decision to conduct these burns is in line with their responsibility to protect and manage the land and its resources.

In addition to the surface land, the BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The bureau’s responsibilities span a wide range of areas, from wildlife conservation to mineral resource management. As such, the planned burns are a part of its larger strategy to ensure the sustainability and productivity of these lands for future generations.