controlled burn

Casper Fire-EMS took to their social media page on Friday to alert the community that smoke they might see coming from Casper Mountain is from a controlled burn.

Specifically, crews will be conducting the annual prescribed burn of the slash pile on East End Road.

The fire district says not to call 911.

The practice might gain better acceptance in the West if people see its potential to improve big game habitat, she said.

Western states have less social acceptance for the practice because of the smoke, lack of funding and the occasional fire that escapes control, Kolden said.

The prescribed burn happens annually.

According to the National Weather Service, the area experienced wind gusts of up to 59 mph Sunday.

Smoke from the fire will be visible from Casper and nearby areas.

Don't be alarmed. The Casper Fire-EMS is conducting a controlled burn in south Casper this morning. The fire department is burning a slash pile south of 15th Street and near the Municipal Gold Course. A department spokeswoman said the controlled burn probably will be over by noon today...

DOUGLAS, Wyo. (AP) — Crews with the U.S. Forest Service plan to conduct a prescribed burn on the Thunder Basin National Grassland near the town of Weston. Depending on weather conditions, the "Pappy's Pasture Prescribed Burn" could be started as early as Thursday...