BLM plans pile burn to reduce hazardous fuels
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DOLORES, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management’s Tres Rios Field Office plans to begin burning slash piles from a hazardous fuels reduction project as early as Monday, Jan. 5, or as conditions allow. The project site is located on BLM-managed lands in southwest Colorado.
The Anasazi Heritage Center site is located on BLM managed lands approximately 2 miles west of Dolores, Colorado. The project consists of 50 slash piles remaining from a thinning project that increased defensible space for the Anasazi Heritage Center and adjacent recreational facilities. Pile burning is expected to last no more than two days once initiated.
A detailed burn plan outlines the parameters for burning piles. “The burn plan contains specific criteria regarding weather conditions and air quality that must be met to help ensure control of the burn as well as to minimize the potential smoke impacts to local communities,” said Mike Davis, BLM Fire Management Officer. “Fire crews will monitor burn piles following ignition to ensure public safety.”
The BLM has obtained a Smoke Permit which identifies atmospheric conditions under which the burn can be implemented from the Colorado State Air Pollution Control Division for these projects. While smoke may be visible in each area at times during the pile burning, most of the smoke will lift and dissipate during the warmest part of the day. Some smoke may linger over the area and in drainages as temperatures drop during the evening.
“Pile burns are generally conducted during the winter and spring; when there is sufficient snow on the ground to ensure conditions are safe to conduct the burn,” said Chris Barth, BLM Southwest District Fire Mitigation Specialist. “Prescribed fires – including pile burns – help to reduce wildfire risk to communities, help restore and maintain ecosystem health, and achieve specific resource objectives such as habitat improvement and fuels reduction.”
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.