For Immediate Release: April 16, 2003
Contact: Steven Hall,     970.244.3052
                Pete Blume,  970.244.3111

Prescribed fires in Horsethief Canyon set for April 17 & 21,and the Battlements north of Collbran April 17

Prescribed fires are tentatively scheduled for April 17 and 21 in Horsethief Canyon along the Colorado River west of Grand Junction, and for April 17 in the Battlements north of Collbran.

“The Horsethief Canyon prescribed fires will involve about two acres, conditions permitting,” said Upper Colorado River Interagency West Zone Fire Management Officer Tim Foley. “This project will be used to train our firefighters in advance of the upcoming fire season, as well as helping in noxious weed reduction.”

The Battlements prescribed fire will involve 500 acres and is tentatively scheduled for April 17. This prescribed fire will reduce hazardous fuel levels as well as improve wildlife habitat.

“The Battlements prescribed burn will allow us to reduce the risk of a catastrophic wildfire in the area while conditions are right for this type of operation,” Foley said. The prescribed burn should work its way uphill into areas still covered in snow, providing a natural barrier to the prescribed fire moving into higher elevations.

Each prescribed fire has a detailed fire plan developed in advance, along with appropriate smoke permits from county and state agencies. Prescribed fires provide one of many tools public land managers use to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire on public lands while improving wildlife habitat and overall land health.

-BLM-