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Dry valley dotted with junipers and golden trees, with a faint plume of smoke below a range of snowcapped mountains

Park news · Great Basin

Great Basin Plans Early November Prescribed Burn, With Closures on Two Roads

A prescribed burn planned for the week of November 2 at Great Basin will close Baker Creek Road and Pole Canyon Road if conditions allow.

By Jocelyn Pion,

If you're planning to visit Great Basin in early November, keep your plans around Baker Creek flexible. A prescribed burn is planned for the week of November 2, if conditions allow. The schedule is tentative, so don't count on operations starting on the first day of that week.

The burn area is in the Baker Creek watershed. The park and the U.S. Wildland Fire Service plan to burn approximately 80 acres to improve habitat and reduce wildfire risk. For visitors, that means temporary access restrictions around the burn area.

Junipers, shrubs and rocks overlook a valley with low plumes of smoke beneath mountains with patches of snow

During operations, Baker Creek Road and Pole Canyon Road will close at the winter turnaround gates. Those gates are the announced closure points for both roads. If your itinerary takes you beyond them, we recommend adjusting it before you head out.

The restrictions won't apply only to vehicles. The burn area will also be closed to the public during operations. If you're planning an outing in this area, check where access is allowed before choosing your route. The information provided doesn't specify a reopening date.

For help planning the rest of your stay, see our guide to Great Basin National Park. We recommend planning another outing if your itinerary depends on these two roads. Before you arrive, check with the park to confirm whether the burn is going ahead and which closures will apply on the day of your visit.