Ahead of the predicted active fire year, these projects reduce the risk of unplanned large wildfires
 

Durango, Colo., May 17, 2021—The San Juan National Forest accomplished successful implementation of all planned prescribed fires this spring. Fire and Fuels Management Staff from the Columbine, Dolores, and Pagosa Ranger Districts implemented prescribed fires while conditions allowed throughout April, completing operations the first week of May. Forest-wide, a total of 3,131 acres were treated with prescribed fire to meet defined ecological objectives. These lower-intensity fires reduce hazardous ground fuels and lessen the risk of unplanned large wildfires, while improving vegetative conditions for wildlife habitat and forest health in ponderosa pine stands.

The Pagosa Ranger District’s Brockover prescribed fire in the Turkey Springs area treated approximately 400 acres adjacent to the wildland urban interface. The use of prescribed fire in this project reduced the risk and intensity of a large unplanned wildfire near values at risk. The Dolores Ranger District’s prescribed fire in Boggy Draw (518 acres) accomplished similar objectives of reducing the risk of unplanned ignitions near high value areas. The Haycamp Mesa (1,162 acres on the Dolores Ranger District) and the Vallecito-Piedra (1,051 acres on the Columbine Ranger District) both achieved objectives of improving wildlife habitat. The prescribed fires on the Columbine and Dolores Ranger Districts were supported by Colorado Parks & Wildlife and the Rocky Mountain Restoration Initiative. Implementation of these successful prescribed burns is not possible without the assistance from partners.

Prescribed fire is used to meet resource management objectives, such as maintaining habitat or improving forest health. It is also a key land management tool used to reduce the risk, severity and spread of unplanned wildfire. Compared to wildfires, prescribed fires are shorter in duration and are conducted under weather conditions to minimize smoke impacts. Forest Program Specialists first identify areas for prescribed fire implementation, then follow weather, fuel, and smoke parameters in the prescribed fire plan to meet stated desired conditions.

Wildfire danger is on the rise as southwest Colorado moves into a hot and dry late spring. Stay informed of current and predicted environmental conditions such as weather and drying vegetation. Take extra precaution before venturing out and be careful with anything that could start a fire. Visit the Rocky Mountain Area Coordination Center fire restrictions page for fire restriction information across the state’s many agencies and jurisdictions.

Crews on the Boggy Draw Prescribed Burn successfully completed 448-acres of burning this afternoon. Both hand and aerial ignitions were used to conduct the low-intensity burn, located in the Boggy Draw area along NFSR 527, approximately 8 miles northeast of Dolores. Smoke may be present for several days as fuels smolder and consume, and fire resources will patrol and monitor both the Boggy Draw and Haycamp Mesa Prescribed Burns until they are out.

Dolores Ranger District fire managers will continue to look for future opportunities of favorable weather to complete more prescribed burning this spring, as conditions allow.

Smoke from the Boggy Draw Prescribed Burn may be visible from Highways 145, 184, 491 and the surrounding communities of Dolores, Mancos and Cortez. There are two operational smoke monitor devices located in Dolores and Mancos to monitor smoke levels. These monitors are required by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment smoke permitting process.

These prescribed burns are conducted to reintroduce fire into the Ponderosa Pine ecosystem, which reduces hazardous fuels, lessens the risk of unplanned large wildfires, and improves wildlife habitat.

For more information about the prescribed burning on the San Juan National Forest, visit InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6288/

Crews have resumed hand and aerial ignitions on the Boggy Draw Prescribed Burn, capitalizing on optimal conditions for a low-intensity burn. After accomplishing 70-acres before a rain shower dampened fuels yesterday, fire managers are now in the process of burning an extra 501-acres for a total of 571-acres in the Boggy Draw area along NFSR 527, approximately 8 miles northeast of Dolores.

Friday’s Haycamp Mesa Prescribed Burn received rain yesterday, and resources are continuing to patrol and monitor it while the Boggy Draw burn is taking place.

Smoke from the Boggy Draw Prescribed Burn may be visible from Highways 145, 184, 491 and the surrounding communities of Dolores, Mancos and Cortez. There are two operational smoke monitor devices located in Dolores and Mancos to monitor smoke levels. These monitors are required by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment smoke permitting process. Fire resources are on scene, please do not report.

These prescribed burns are conducted to reintroduce fire into the Ponderosa Pine ecosystem, which reduces hazardous fuels, lessens the risk of unplanned large wildfires, and improves wildlife habitat.

For more information about the prescribed burning on the San Juan National Forest, visit InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6288/

 After desirable burning conditions in the morning, today’s Boggy Draw Prescribed Burn was suspended when a rain shower dampened fuels. Crews were able to accomplish 70 of the planned 946-acres today, and plan to resume hand and aerial ignitions tomorrow in the unit, located in the Boggy Draw area along NFSR 527, approximately 8 miles northeast of Dolores. 

After yesterday’s successful completion on the Haycamp Mesa Prescribed Burn, Dolores Ranger District plans to prescribe burn 946 acres in the Boggy Draw area (Unit 32) on Saturday along FSR 527 and FSR 528 if conditions allow. Fire Managers plan to start ignitions around 9:00 a.m. this morning. Some fire resources will be left at the Haycamp Mesa Prescribed Burn to monitor throughout the day.

Smoke will be visible from Highways 145, 184, 160 and the surrounding communities of Dolores, Mancos and Cortez. Two operational smoke monitor devices are in Dolores and Mancos to monitor smoke levels. These monitors are required by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment smoke permitting process. Fire resources are on scene, please do not report.

Fire Managers are monitoring the weather conditions on both prescribed burns units. The burn units are at a higher elevation, therefore the vegetation is not as dry and temperatures are cooler, than the surrounding areas that are expecting Red Flag Warning conditions.

For more information about the prescribed burning on the San Juan National Forest, visit InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6288/

 Crews successfully completed ignitions on the 1,162-acre Haycamp Mesa prescribed burn unit at 4:30 PM on May 7th and are currently patrolling the fire area. The burn was kept under control and within the unit, located in the Haycamp Mesa area along NFSR 556 and NFSR 390, approximately 10 miles east of Dolores, Colorado.

Burning operations started at 9:30 AM this morning with hand ignition operations on the perimeter of the burn unit. Once the perimeter was secured, helicopter-based aerial ignitions were used to light the interior of the unit. The Haycamp Mesa burn area is at a higher elevation, where the vegetation is not as dry and temperatures are cooler than the surrounding lower areas that are under Red Flag Warning conditions.

This prescribed burn was conducted to reintroduce fire into the Ponderosa Pine ecosystem, which reduces hazardous fuels, lessens the risk of unplanned large wildfires and improves wildlife habitat.

Smoke will continue to be visible from Highways 145, 184, 160 and the surrounding communities of Dolores, Mancos and Cortez as fuels continue to smolder and consume. Fire resources will patrol and monitor the burn during this time. Two operational smoke monitor devices are located in Dolores and Mancos to monitor smoke levels. These monitors are required by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment smoke permitting process. Fire resources are on scene, please do not report.

For more information about the prescribed burning on the San Juan National Forest, visit InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6288/

Conditions are favorable today to conduct burning on the Haycamp Mesa prescribed burn unit. This 1,162-acre burn unit located in the Haycamp Mesa area along NFSR 556 and NFSR 390, approximately 10 miles east of Dolores, Colorado.

Fire Managers are monitoring the weather conditions on the Haycamp Mesa Prescribed Burn. Burning operations started at 9:30 AM this morning with hand ignition operations on the perimeter of the burn unit. Aerial ignition will be conducted once the perimeter is widened from burning on the Haycamp Prescribed Burn unit. The burn area is at a higher elevation, therefore the vegetation is not as dry and temperatures are cooler, than the surrounding areas that are expecting Red Flag Warning conditions.

Smoke will be visible from Highways 145, 184, 160 and the surrounding communities of Dolores, Mancos and Cortez. Two operational smoke monitor devices are in Dolores and Mancos to monitor smoke levels. These monitors are required by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment smoke permitting process. Fire resources are on scene, please do not report.

For more information about the prescribed burning on the San Juan National Forest, visit InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6288/

Fire Managers on the Dolores Ranger District have been closely monitoring the weather and conditions are looking favorable to conduct a prescribed burn on a 1,162-acre unit in the Haycamp Mesa area on May 7. This prescribed burn is located approximately 10 miles east of Dolores, Colorado along the Haycamp Mesa Road (NFSR 556 & NFSR 390).

Smoke will be visible from Highways 145, 184, 160 and surrounding communities of Dolores, Mancos, and Cortez. There are two operational smoke monitor devices located in Dolores and Mancos to monitor smoke levels. These monitors are required by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment smoke permitting process.

The reintroduction of prescribed fire will improve and restore vegetative conditions and reduce hazardous ground fuels in the area.

Conditions remain too damp in the Haycamp Mesa area from yesterday’s storm to meet fire managers prescribed burn objectives. The Haycamp Prescribed Burn located approximately 10 miles east of Dolores, CO along the Haycamp Mesa Road (NFSR 556) has been postponed.