Comment sought on BLM fire plan

Most human-caused fires (red dots) area along major roadways in Elmore County.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Boise District Office (BDO),

Four Rivers Field Office will host two open houses to provide the public an opportunity to discuss and comment on the Paradigm Fuel Break Project Draft Environmental Assessment (EA).

The first open house will be held at the BDO on Jan. 28 at 3948 S. Development Ave., in Boise.

The second open house will be held on Feb. 4 at the Elks Lodge at 325 S. 3rd West St. in Mountain Home.

Both open houses will take place from 6-8 p.m."BLM is proposing to develop a network of fuel breaks along approximately 187 miles of routes and roadways located east of Boise between Blacks Creek Road and Glenn's Ferry, which is an area with frequent large fires," said Project Manager Mike McGee. "The purpose of the fuel breaks is to provide firefighters with areas where they can safely implement suppression actions and increase the likelihood of containing wildfires. The fuel breaks will also reduce the risk to life, property and natural resources," said McGee.

Under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), BLM has analyzed a range of alternatives and is seeking public review and comment regarding the analysis of effects to the human environment. Comments from the public should be received by the BLM by Feb. 24.

The Draft EA may be accessed on the BLM website at: https://www.blm.gov/epl-front-office/eplanning/nepa/nepa/nepa_register.do.