The USDA Forest Service Intermountain Region is implementing a wildfire crisis strategy that combines an historic investment from congressional funding with years of scientific research and planning, with significant implications for recreation in Utah and the broader western landscape.
Regional scope and fire strategy
The Intermountain Region, which encompasses 12 forests and 1 grassland and covers 34 million acres, spans from heavily timbered slopes of central Idaho on the Payette National Forest to red rock open country in southern Utah. Prescribed fire operations are a core component of the region’s wildfire crisis strategy, reflecting a coordinated effort to address environmental challenges. The region includes Idaho, Nevada, Wyoming, and southern Utah, underscoring the importance of regional collaboration. Caribou-Targhee National Forest and partners are renewing rangelands with targeted grazing, contributing to sustainable land management. Within Utah, Mara Shutt, a recreation crew leader, leads a small team maintaining the eight miles of infrastructure in Mill Creek Canyon, a critical area for outdoor recreation. Keith Wilson, also a recreation crew leader, was at the top of a structure when a branch fell 75 feet down from the crown of a ponderosa pine tree, illustrating the risks associated with infrastructure maintenance. Miles of Piles features the eight miles of infrastructure in Mill Creek Canyon, emphasizing the area’s recreational value. Additionally, Forest Products Week: Wood Innovations is featured, highlighting advancements in forestry technologies.
Website updates and agency mission
Effective beginning 6/4/2025, this website and all linked sites under the agency’s control are under review, and content may change. The USDA Forest Service continues to prioritize wildfire prevention and recreation in Utah and the western United States. For more information, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/intermountain-region. Utah News Staff
