BLM Plans Several Prescribed Burns in Southwest Colorado
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DOLORES, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management’s Tres Rios Field Office plans to begin several prescribed burns as early as Monday, Mar. 30, or as conditions allow.
Both prescribed burns, located on BLM-managed lands in southwest Colorado, are part of the West Dolores Rim Project.
- The Unit 19 prescribed burn is located seven miles east of Dove Creek, CO. This 284 acre burn is treating a mix of ponderosa pine and mountain shrub.
- The Unit 29 prescribed burn is located five miles east of Egnar, CO. This 138 acre burn is treating a mix of ponderosa pine and Gambel oak.
The objectives of both prescribed burns are to reduce hazardous fuels; protect wildland urban interface communities; and improve big game habitat, sage grouse habitat, and range conditions; as well as reintroduce fire to a fire adapted ecosystem and help restore healthy forests and species diversity.
A detailed burn plan outlines the parameters for prescribed burning on each unit. “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 Brad Pietruszka, BLM Fire Management Specialist. The BLM has obtained Smoke Permits which identify atmospheric conditions under which the burns can be implemented from the Colorado State Air Pollution Control Division for these treatments.
Each prescribed burn is anticipated to last no more than two days, once initiated. While smoke may be visible in the area at times during the burns, most of the smoke will lift and dissipate during the warmest parts of the day. Smoke may be visible in the area for several days after each burn is completed as vegetation in the interior of the burn continues to smolder. Fire crews will continue to monitor each area following completion of the burn to ensure public safety.
For information on wildfires and restrictions in the area, call the Southwest District Fire Management Information line (970-240-1070), visit the Durango Dispatch website (https://gacc.nifc.gov/rmcc/dispatch_centers/r2drc/), or follow us on Twitter (https://twitter.com/SWD_Fire) and Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/BLMMontroseFireUnit).
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.