Memorial Day prescribed burn drops ash across Davis County

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Forestry, Fire and State Lands carried out plans on Memorial Day to burn at least 1,500 acres in the Farmington Bay area during a prescribed fire burn. On Monday, Utah Fire Info asked people not to report the fire and to avoid the area as crews worked.Residents told KSL that ash was falling across Davis County from pyrocumulus clouds that formed over the massive controlled burn. Weather radar also showed the massive plume of smoke over Davis County. The South Weber Fire Department released a statement addressing the falling ash.Prescribed burns may be conducted for many reasons. Some reasons may include minimizing the spread of pests, insects and disease. The fire can also provide foraging opportunities for game and even promotes the growth of trees and other plants. In Utah, it's common for controlled burns to be conducted in order to reduce the risks associated with wildfires and to control invasive species, along with the other reasons mentioned. A spokesperson from the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands confirmed the burn was designed to burn phragmites, a species of reed invasive to the Great Salt Lake. "The priority unit (on Monday) is the Turpin RX area west of Bountiful," UFI said. "Smoke may be visible in surrounding communities. Residents in the area should take any necessary precautions for smoke sensitivity as crews work to reduce hazardous fuels and improve habitat conditions."

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