Prescribed burn scheduled

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Crews from the Upper Colorado River Fire Management Unit (UCR) will complete a prescribed burn in the upper-end of Coal Gulch, about 18 miles northwest of Grand Junction. Approximately 100 acres on public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management are targeted for burning. Anticipated project completion is between September 15 and 30.

Smoke in the Book Cliffs may be visible at times, but the prescribed burn is not expected to impact air quality in surrounding communities. Hunters in the immediate area of the burn may experience smoke in lower elevations during the evening hours. Highly skilled firefighting crews will conduct and monitor the burn to provide for the safe and effective removal of primarily pinyon-juniper, sage and mountain shrub fuels.

Weather conditions will be closely monitored, and the burn will only be initiated if conditions are ideal. Each prescribed burn conducted by UCR crews has a detailed fire plan developed in advance, along with the appropriate smoke permit obtained from the state of Colorado. Prescribed fires are one of many tools public land managers use to reduce hazardous and dense vegetation to lessen the risk of catastrophic wildfires while improving wildlife habitat and overall land health.

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