Single Publication

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. Forest Service personnel assisted by fire resources from cooperating agencies. 

Project areas identified for burn implementation are: 

• Haycamp Mesa: 2,500 acres located 10 miles east of Dolores, along the Haycamp Mesa Road, National Foreset Service Road (NFSR) 557, 395 and 393- Haycamp Mesa Units 10,11,13
• Boggy Draw: 2,775 acres located 15 miles northeast of Dolores, along (NFSR) 526 and (NFSR) 249- Boggy Draw Unit 45
• Salter: 1,280 acres located 15 miles east of Cahone,near Salter Y along (NFSR) 510

This effort will reduce hazardous ground fuels, lessen the risk of unplanned large-scale wildfire, help restore ponderosa pine ecosystems, and improve wildlife habitat. Prescribed fire also reduces the ladder fuels that can carry fire into the canopy, killing mature trees.

During burning operations, smoke may be visible around Mancos, Dolores, Dove Creek, Cortez, and Highway 491 between Dove Creek and Pleasant View. Smoke may settle into low lying valleys and the Dolores River Canyon overnight. Smoke monitoring will be conducted, and ignitions will be scheduled to minimize smoke impacts to communities. Prescribed fire smoke may affect your health. More information can be found online: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health 

Maps of the prescribed burn units and additional San Juan National Forest prescribed fire program news can be found on InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/cosjf-san-juan-national-forest-prescribed-fire-program. For more information, please contact Fire Management Officer Matthew Traynham, by email at Matthew.Traynham@usda.gov or by phone at (970) 882-6837.  

For information on the San Juan National Forest, call (970) 247-4874, visit the forest website, or follow us on social media (X and Facebook).

-USDA-

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