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Slash pile burning planned this fall, winter on San Juan National ForestPile burning operations will begin in October 2024, extend into spring 2025

Bayfield, Colo. Aug. 26, 2024— To reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire and improve forest health, the Columbine Ranger District is planning to burn approximately 5,000 acres in the Beaver Meadows and Southern HD mountains of the San Juan National Forest. The planned burn areas are approximately 10 miles northeast and 12 miles southeast of Bayfield. Operations may begin as soon as early September and may continue into November, depending on weather conditions and availability of fire personnel and other resources. 

DOLORES, Colo., Sept. 5, 2024—The San Juan National Forest’s Dolores Ranger District is planning to conduct several prescribed burns starting in September. Operations will take place over multiple days when weather and fuel conditions are favorable and may continue throughout the fall based on conditions. Both hand and aerial ignition methods may be utilized, following the weather, fuel and smoke parameters stated in the prescribed fire plan. Burning operations will be conducted by U.S.

PAGOSA SPRINGS, Colo., August 27, 2024— The San Juan National Forest’s Pagosa Ranger District is planning to conduct prescribed burns starting in September. Burning operations may take place over multiple days when weather and fuel conditions are favorable for meeting objectives described in the prescribed fire plan.

Firefighters on the Dolores Ranger District successfully completed prescribed burning across 1,133 acres on three burn units in the Boggy Draw area today (Thursday, May 9). Ignitions are complete for this week but crews will be on scene in the days to come to secure the burn and mitigate hazards near roads and trails.The Boggy Draw Trail system is closed and will remain closed until it is safe to reopen. Personnel will work to make that closure as short as possible.

DOLORES, Colo., April 17, 2024 — The San Juan National Forest’s Dolores Ranger District is planning to conduct several prescribed burns starting later this month. Burning operations will take place over multiple days when weather and fuel conditions are favorable and may continue throughout the summer and into fall based on conditions. Project areas identified for burn implementation are: 

PAGOSA SPRINGS, Colo., April 11, 2024— The San Juan National Forest’s Pagosa Ranger District is planning to conduct prescribed burns starting in April.

DOLORES, Colo., April 8, 2024—The Boggy Draw Trailhead and portions of the Boggy Draw trail system will temporarily close to the public beginning April 9, 2024, for public and firefighter safety during prescribed fire operations. 

BAYFIELD, Colo., March 12, 2024—The San Juan National Forest’s Columbine Ranger District is planning to conduct several prescribed burns between late March and early May. Ignitions will take place over several consecutive days and operations may take several weeks to complete.

Pile burning operations will begin in November 2023 and extend into spring 2024Durango, Colo., November 7, 2023— The San Juan National Forest plans to burn slash piles this fall and winter generated from forest thinning and timber sales. Thinning projects improve forest health and wildlife habitat and reduce the risk of wildfire near private residences and infrastructure. Slash from these projects is piled and burned to remove the debris that could fuel wildfire.