For Immediate Release: March 18, 2004
Contact: Frankie Romero - 970-625-2872, Kristi Ponozzo 970-945-3206
 

Federal agencies prepare for Roaring Fork and Cache Creek

RIFLE, Colo. (March 18, 2004) — The White River National Forest and Glenwood Springs Resource Area Bureau of Land Management will be conducting prescribed burns throughout the Roaring Fork and Interstate 70 corridors in the few weeks, weather permitting. The purpose of both burns is to reduce stand height in dominant brush to improve the ability to control future wildfires and to stimulate new growth in the shrubs and grasses that benefit wildlife and livestock. 

Projects include the Roaring Fork prescribed burn located approximately 4 miles north of Basalt and the Cache Creek prescribed burn located approximately 3 miles south of Rulison. The Roaring Fork burn area is a multi-year project that is targeting fuels on the west slope of Basalt Mountain and will continue with more burning next year.  The Cache Creek project, between Dog Head Mountain and Spruce Creek should be completed after this year. It includes both Forest Service and adjacent private land.  Officials estimate each burn will take approximately 2 to 3 days and each will effect between 700 and 1000 acres.

The Roaring Fork project is a cooperative effort between US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and the Christine Lakes State Wildlife Area.  The Cache Creek project is a cooperative effort between the Forest Service and local land-owners with support from the National Wild Turkey Federation.

“Past experience and research has shown that treatment by burning will top-kill the oak but will induce sprouting, which results in more palatable and useable brush being available for species such as deer, elk, and turkey,” said Fire Management Officer Frankie Romero. The targeted vegetation in each case is Gambel oak and associated mountain shrub.

By burning periodically, this type of treatment can also keep fuels from building up which gives firefighters a better chance at controlling future wildfires.

Visitors and area residents should expect to see smoke for several days while the burns are in progress.  Though unlikely, smoke may settle into lower elevations, so those with health problems that could become aggravated by smoke should contact Hal Coombs or Frankie Romero at the Rifle Interagency Fire Station, 970-625-2872 and you will be notified personally before each day of burning.

-BLM-