Pinebrook controlled burns to begin in November or December

PARK CITY, Utah — The Pinebrook Master Association (PMA) will be performing controlled pile burning in the near future. This work, undertaken by local forestry expert Alpine Forestry, is planned for November or December 2022.

An approved “burn window” is needed for work to begin, appointed by state and local authorities. The below map shows the areas where burning will occur. PMA was notified its work could begin as soon as Nov. 5 or 6. Once begun, all work is expected to be completed within 10 days.

Cooperation with Summit County Fire Warden and Park City Fire District has been ongoing with this project. Three areas will be burned this fall into winter, including 6.2 acres above Ecker Hill Middle School’s ropes course, piles in Spring Creek, and Two Mile Canyon along Pinebrook Road with 2.2 acres between Big Spruce Way and Buckboard Drive and 2.8 acres above Buckboard Drive. In addition to these areas, several residents within Pinebrook have piles burned on their property under separate contract.

The white fir and aspen within Pinebrook are suffering serious forest health issues brought on by stress from drought and competition, leading to an insect infestation. Fuel treatments are intended to mimic fire to reduce the threat of large, devastating wildfires and create more resilient landscapes.

Pile burning occurs under very prescribed conditions:

• Air quality standards established by the State of Utah must be met
• Defined prescription parameters must occur, including criteria for relative humidity, wind speed and direction, along with smoke dispersal
• Precipitation falling or snow cover on site is required to minimize risk of an escape
• Resource and prescribed fire objectives must be met or attainable
• Burning is monitored and mopped up if needed until the burning is declared out.