Ponderosa State Park to Start Prescribed Burning in October 2026

Ponderosa State Park to Start Prescribed Burning in October 2026

McCall, IDAHO
(October 6, 2026) – McCall residents can expect to see smoke this week from a prescribed burn in Ponderosa State Park in McCall, Idaho. The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, in conjunction with the Southern Idaho Timber Protective Association (SITPA), is conducting this burn that will likely last for about three days and will be heavily monitored by park staff and SITPA.

The park asks visitors to adhere to posted signage, avoid all burn areas, and to not attempt to put out fires. The day use road will be closed while the work is in close proximity but will be reopened as it progresses east.

Forest management is of utmost importance to the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation. There are several objectives to the prescribed burn including:
Reducing hazardous fuel loadings
Creating a more fire resilient landscape
Promoting growth of medium to large size trees, prioritizing Ponderosa Pine, Western Larch,
Douglas Fir and Englemann Spruce
Promoting growth of grass and forbs to improve aesthetics of the park for visitors
This burn project will help restore the park’s natural tree stands, creating a landscape more resistant to pests and wildfires and ensuring the longevity of the forest for decades to come.

For latest updates and information, visit the Ponderosa Projects page at parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/parks/ponderosa/ponderosa-projects/