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ST. GEORGE, Utah (AP) -- A 4,000-acre prescribed burn was started Sunday in Zion National Park, and the smoke from it was expected to peak on Monday.
The area being burned is along the park's eastern boundary, near Zion Ponderosa Ranch, and is entirely within the park, fire information officer David Eaker said.
The burn is intended to strengthen the park border and protect surrounding property and structures, he said. It also is intended to restore fire-dependent ecosystems.
Eaker said the smoke likely will reach as far as Virgin and Hurricane.
Nearly 100 people have been working on the fire, Eaker said.
The East Rim Trail system and all trails accessing the system are temporarily closed during the burn, as is access to Deertrap and Cable Mountains.
(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
