For Immediate Release: March 25, 2003
Contact: Barb Timock, 719.553.1415
                Ken Smith, 719.269.8553

BLM AND US FOREST SERVICE TO CONDUCT SPRING PRESCRIBED BURNS

CANON CITY…If the weather cooperates, state and federal land management agencies are hoping to conduct prescribed burns during the upcoming weeks at Sullivan Creek, Deer Haven, and Red Creek. Conditions will soon be favorable for these burns and fire managers are making preparations to conduct the burns in concert with recent precipitation.

The Sullivan Creek Prescribed burn area is located on National Forest and BLM public lands 4 miles west of Hillside, CO. Areas planned for treatment this spring are a mixture of Gambel oak and conifers on south facing aspects. Approximately 300 acres would be burned using hand ignition methods.

The Deer Haven Prescribed burn project is located on BLM lands and lands administered by the Colorado State Land Board. This project is located approximately 15 miles northwest of Canon City in the High Park area. Fuels to be burned include ponderosa pine, Gambel oak, litter accumulations and light thinning slash, and would also be ignited by hand over approximately 200-300 acres. Prescribed burns were successfully conducted here last October over approximately 200 acres.

The Red Creek prescribed burn is located 5 miles southeast of Wetmore, CO, in the Red Creek drainage. During this phase of burning in Red Creek, approximately 915 acres are targeted for treatment. Fuels include ponderosa pine, pinion pine, Gambel oak, and junipers. This project will aid in reducing accumulated natural fuels and fire hazard on both National Forest and private lands in the area and would create a mosaic of treated and untreated areas and reduce conifer encroachment into many of the grass parks.

Smoke from the prescribed burns will be visible and temporarily impact local communities in the area surrounding each project including Westcliffe, Canon City, Cotopaxi, Wetmore, Cripple Creek, and Pueblo.

These projects are a cooperative effort between the Bureau of Land Management, Colorado State Forest Service, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Pike & San Isabel National Forest and private landowners.

Objectives for these burns include:

• Reducing the wildfire hazard to surrounding property owners,
• Reducing hazardous fuel accumulations and ladder fuels
• Improving forage for wildlife and livestock,
• Improve and create openings, and
• Creating various stages of plant succession critical for healthy wildlife      habitat

Fires have played an important role in shaping vegetation in the Rocky Mountain West and have long been a part of the natural environment of people. Prescribed burning is an important tool for restoring and maintaining forest health, meeting range and wildlife management objectives, and reducing hazardous fuels buildup. Decades of fire suppression have interrupted the natural frequency and intensity of naturally occurring fires. Prescribed burns are designed to accomplish specific management objectives and also provide a means for re-introducing fire into the ecosystem.

Anyone wanting more information on the planned prescribed burns, can call Dave Toelle (719) 269-8508 at the U.S. Forest Service, San Carlos Ranger District and BLM, Royal Gorge Field Office in Canon City.

-BLM-