Heavy smoke fills Weber County as authorities scorch phragmites in controlled burn

OGDEN, Utah (ABC4) — Smoke billowed above Ogden Bay Friday late afternoon as fire authorities instigated a 2,000-acre controlled burn.

Weber Fire District said they conducted a prescription burn in the Wildlife Management area of West Weber County in an effort to control phragmites, which they defined as “large grass found in wetlands.”

Officials said in addition to managing phragmites, the fire was intended to improve forest health and wildlife habitat, encourage nesting, and mitigate fire risk moving into the summer.

Phragmites are an invasive species in Utah that can threaten native plants and take over habitats, according to the Utah Lake Authority. They also can become as “dry as tinder” during the late summer and fall months, posing a fire hazard.

During the summer months, wildfires become a concern in Utah as grasses and shrubs, such as phragmites, dry out and become more susceptible to burning. Efforts such as prescription burns can help reduce wildfire risk.

While authorities work to prevent wildfires ahead of the season and extinguish them once they start, there are some tips Utahns should keep in mind to aid in the effort.

According to Utah Fire Sense, roughly 70% of fires can be prevented if Utahns practice good “fire sense,” such as parking vehicles away from vegetation, checking for worn-out brakes that can cause sparks, and ensuring campfires are completely extinguished.

Other tips to prevent wildfires include setting up shooting targets against rock backstops, avoiding starting fires or shooting firearms on windy days, and never leaving a fire unattended.