BLM Plans Prescribed Burn near Powderhorn, CO
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Gunnison, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management’s Gunnison Field Office is planning to begin a prescribed burn for the Indian Creek fuels treatment project as early as Tuesday, April 9 or as condition allow through the end of spring 2013. The Indian Creek project area is approximately 200 acres in size and located four miles west of Powderhorn, Colo. between Dutch Gulch and Sapinero Mesa. The objective is to reduce hazardous fuels adjacent to private development and to improve wildlife habitat for elk and deer in the project area. The Indian Creek prescribed burn will also reintroduce fire to a fire adapted ecosystem and help restore healthy forests, species diversity and natural processes to the landscape.
An environmental analysis and detailed burn plan outline the parameters for the prescribed burn at Indian Creek. “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 Dan Huisjen, BLM Fire Ecologist.
The BLM has obtained a Smoke Permit which identifies atmospheric conditions under which the prescribed burn can be implemented from the Colorado State Air Pollution Control Division for this project. While smoke may be visible in the 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.
“Fire crews will be onsite during the burn – as well as monitor the burn area following completion of the burn - to ensure public safety,” said Chris Barth, BLM Southwest District Fire Mitigation Specialist
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.