US Fish and Wildlife Service to burn debris on Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge

Bridge across the Muddy River on the trail to the Moapa dace viewing area. (Courtesy U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service)

Nevada drivers may see smoke from highways Monday as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service burns debris on the Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge.

The fire’s timing will depend on the weather; it is not expected to affect air quality or limit public access to the refuge.

The burn consists of a large debris pile left from the thinning of vegetation and other fuel-reduction projects. Service fire personnel will conduct the burn on a hill overlooking the wildlife refuge’s main visitor area.

Questions about the burn should be directed to Ross Wise at 702-556-9695.

The refuge, at 4001 W. Warm Springs Road in Moapa, was established in 1979 to secure habitat and protect the endangered Moapa dace. Efforts at the refuge include spring and channel restoration, revegetation with native plants, removing nonnative species and enhancing stream flows to benefit Moapa dace, White River springfish and other native wildlife species.

Keep up with all the events on the wildlife refuge at www.fws.gov/refuge/moapa_valley/ or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MoapaValleyNWR

Contact Raven Jackson at rjackson@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0381. Follow her on Twitter @ravenmjackson