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Jack Springs II prescribed fire update (09-28-10)
Craig, CO – An wind gust pushed the Bureau of Land Management Jack Springs II prescribed fire outside the identified boundary shortly following ignition Tuesday afternoon. The fire crossed Moffat County Road 56 and spread to approximately 100 acres. To assist with suppressing the fire, planned contingency ground and air resources were ordered. Heavy air tankers and a heavy helicopter slowed the fires spread with retardant and water drops.
As of 7:00 p.m. Tuesday evening fire activity had slowed significantly and fire personnel are not anticipating any containment problems. Crews on scene worked late into the evening and have a line around the fire. Two 20-person hand crews will work to reinforce fire line and continue mop up. The air tankers have been released from the incident with the helicopter remaining available. Moffat County Sheriff engines and a Fish and Wildlife engine were also released from the fire yesterday and will be available if needed today.
One power pole was burned but no structures are immediately threatened.
The project site is ten miles west of Greystone in the Jack Springs Draw area. The objective is to reduce hazardous fuels and lessen the threat of wildland fire to area residents. The project was planned for 221 acres. Each prescribed burn has a detailed fire plan developed in advance along with appropriate smoke permits issued by the State of Colorado.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2011, recreational and other activities on BLM-managed land contributed more than $130 billion to the U.S. economy and supported more than 600,000 American jobs. The Bureau is also one of a handful of agencies that collects more revenue than it spends. In FY 2012, nearly $5.7 billion will be generated on lands managed by the BLM, which operates on a $1.1 billion budget. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.
455 Emerson Street Craig, CO 81625