Single Publication

Slash pile burning planned this fall, winter on San Juan National Forest

Pile burning operations will begin in October 2024, extend into spring 2025

Durango, Colo., Oct. 23, 2024— 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. 

Pile burning will begin as early as this month when there is sufficient snow or rain present to prevent fire spread and will continue as long as conditions allow, possibly through April 2025. Firefighters will ignite and monitor pile burning activities while heat is present. These activities should not affect public access or use of the forest. 

Columbine Ranger District plans to burn slash piles near the following locations: Saul’s Creek (50 acres, 100 piles) near Forest Service Road 755.  Fossett Gulch (17 acres, 100 piles) near FSR 841.  Baldy Mountain (117 acres, 10 piles) near FSRs 69 and 601.

Dolores Ranger District plans to burn slash piles near the following locations: Haycamp Mesa area (250 acres, 800 piles) near FSRs 556, 556.G and 492, south of Beef Pasture Reservoir. Boggy Draw area (14 acres, 4 piles) near FSR 526.B in the Beaver Rim Gravel Pit. Taylor Mesa area (390 acres, 134 piles) near FSRs 545 and 545.J. Salter area (400 acres, 400 piles) near FSRs 514, 504, 519 and 293, northwest of Salter Y. Lake Canyon and Glade areas (3100 acres, 1400 piles) near FSRs 506, 504, 508, 512, 514, 215 , 270, 216 and 218 near Glade Canyon. Smoke may be visible from Highway 184, Highway 145, and U.S. Route 491.

Pagosa Ranger District plans to burn slash piles near the following locations: Turkey Springs Piles, 15 acres, adjacent to Piedra Road and FSR 629. Longest Mile Piles, 7 acres, adjacent to Piedra Stock Driveway Trail. Buckles Lake Road Piles,13 Acres, adjacent to FSR 663 and US Highway 84. Coyote Creek Piles, 15 miles, between FSR 663 and Alpine Lakes Ranch subdivision. Mariposa Timber Sales Piles, 326 acres, 9 miles, near the FSR 024. Huerto Timber Sale Piles, 596 acres, between the Weminuche Valley and Williams Reservoir. Fawn Gulch Piles, 16 acres, north of FSR 666 and Log Park subdivision. Quartz Piles, 20 acres, adjacent to FSR 684.

Burning will only occur when all conditions of the state-issued smoke permit are met. Learn how smoke from wildfires, prescribed burns and pile burns may affect your health by visiting the Colorado Department of Public Health website: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health.

For additional information on the San Juan National Forest prescribed fire program, visit InciWeb (https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/cosjf-2024-san-juan-national-forest-prescribed-fire-program). For information on current conditions and recreation opportunities on the San Juan National Forest, call (970) 247-4874, visit the forest website, or follow us on social media (Twitter and Facebook).

-USDA-

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