The Location

This project is a joint effort between the Boise 

and Sawtooth National Forests. The area involved is located approximately 6 miles east of 

Pine in North Fork Lime Creek and a portion of 

the Deer Creek drainages, on both the Mountain Home (Boise NF) and Fairfi eld (Sawtooth NF) 

Ranger Districts.

Smoke and Safety

Before camping, hunting, or visiting in this area, 

contact the prescribed fi re hotline or the nearest ranger district for prescribed fi re updates 

and locations.

Today, we know that fi re is essential to the 

health of our forests and rangelands. While prescribed fi res have proven to be very successful 

in creating the conditions necessary for healthy 

forests, the smoke can often be a troublesome 

side effect. 

Public land managers work closely with the 

Idaho Division of Environmental Quality to ensure that air quality remains healthful. If the air 

quality begins to approach unhealthy levels, 

the ignition will be delayed. 

For further information, contact:

Boise National Forest ...............................208-373-4100

Mountain Home Ranger District .............208-587-7961

Sawtooth National Forest ........................208-737-3200

Fairfi eld Ranger District ...........................208-764-3202

Boise National Forest RX Fire Hotline .....208-373-4208 

Visit our Web sites:

www.fs.fed.us/r4.boise

www.rxfi re.com

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities 

on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual 

orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs). Persons with 

disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large 

print, audio tape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To fi le a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Offi ce of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington D.C., 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 

(voice and TDD). USDA is an Equal Opportunity provider and employer.

30.09.402.08/04

Lime Creek

United States Department of Agricutlrue

Forest Service – Intermountain Region

Boise and Sawtooth National Forests

2004

ASPEN AND WILDLIFE

PRESCRIBED FIRE

RESTORATION PROJECT

20

152

FH061

Lime Creek

Project Area

128

129

Pine

Sawtooth

National

Forest

166

Boise

National

Forest

Malad Creek

Camas Creek

South Fork Boise River Lime Creek

South Fork Lime Creek

84

20

Mountain

Home

Pine

Fairfield

Lime Creek

Project Area

Boise

National

Forest

Boise Sawtooth

National

Forest
The Lime Creek 

Project objective 

is to use a series of 

fi res, under carefully planned conditions over a period 

of 4 to 6 years, to 

restore an estimated 9,000 acres 

of quaking aspen 

stands, along with 

9,000 acres of nonaspen vegetation. 

The goal is to improve the health, 

vigor, and sustainability of existing 

aspen stands. 

Using a helitorch for ignition, moderate and high 

intensity fi re will be used to 

kill encroaching conifers 

and shrubs, thus rejuvenating stands of aspen. 

Burning during the fall is 

expected to produce a fi re 

hot enough to kill conifer 

trees encroaching within 

the aspen stands. This type 

of fi re is expected to kill 

the aspens as well and 

stimulate aspen regeneration through root suckering. Killing the aspen 

will eliminate or greatly 

reduce the incidence of 

disease, such as the false 

tinder fungus, resulting in 

improved aspen vigor.

It is estimated that aspen 

has declined by 60 percent in this area. Many of 

the aspen stands are not 

regenerating. Without regeneration, the species 

can disappear from the 

site as large trees die. 

The Need

for 

Restoration

Once aspen disappear, 

it can take centuries 

to be restored and, in 

some cases, can never 

be restored. Douglas-fi r 

trees and sagebrush are 

the primary encroaching 

species affecting the survival of aspen. The total 

project area is approximately 40,000 acres. 

Value of Aspen

Aspen provides the following unique values in 

the forest:

● Nesting by cavity-nesting birds; 13 species 

of these types of birds are located on the 

Boise and Sawtooth National Forests.

● Used for foraging by deer and elk.

● Grouse feed on the aspen buds. 

● Biodiversity – another species of trees in the 

forest.

● Magnifi cent displays of autumn colors.

● Groves of aspen are fairly fi re resistant during part of their life cycle.

In October 2002, 1,750 

acres were treated 

with fi re during the fi rst 

phase of the project. 

This work concentrated on the northeast 

portion of the area 

to minimize the risk 

of spread. A number of aspen stands 

were mapped and 

targeted for the 

initial phase. 

 

The Sawtooth Hotshot Crew and Boise National 

Forest fi re personnel burned approximately 4 

miles of ridgelines that served as fuel breaks and 

prevented the fi re from uncontrolled spread.

In 2003, nearly 45 personnel 

burned approximately 3,500 

acres. 

Over 1,700 of the targeted 

aspen stands were 

successfully treated.

In the fall of 2004, 

approximately 4,500 acres 

are planned for burning.

This project supports the primary goals of the 

Healthy Forest Initiative and the National Fire 

Plan. Actively managing these natural resources, through the use of prescribed fi re, reduces 

the fi re danger and returns these forest and 

rangeland areas to a much healthier state. The 

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is a funding partner for the project.

The Project The Results

Meeting the Objectives

Use of Fire

Healthy aspen stand

Healthy aspen stand

Prescribed burning

Prior to restoration

In October 2002, 1,750 

acres were treated 

with fire during the first 

phase of the project. 

This work concentrated on the northeast