Pile burning in the Westshore Project area in the Upper Lake/Covelo Ranger District is planned for this week if conditions allow.

Today 10 acres of hand piles in Unit 8 was attempted, though only one acre was completed before weather conditions caused ignitions to be stopped. Firefighters remained on the scene for several hours monitoring and ensuring that the piles were completely burned out.

Current conditions at the prescribed fire location, which is south of Tres Piedras and west of Highway 285, remain damp. Snow is patchy and fuel moisture levels are too high for an effective prescribed fire. The first potential day of ignitions, April 17, will be pushed back, possibly into May. Fire staff will be looking for opportunities when both on-site fuels conditions and weather are within prescription.

The La Niña climate pattern, which brought several consecutive seasons of much drier-than-average conditions for Northern New Mexico between spring 2019 and spring 2022 officially ended last month. For the first time in three years, a neutral pattern that favors neither La Niña nor El Niño is expected through the remainder of spring and early summer with NOAA forecasters predicting elevated chances of an El Niño climate pattern developing afterwards. The transition away from La Niña is likely to result in periods wetter than average conditions for Northern New Mexico, especially going into May. A neutral climate pattern also tends to favor an average to below average number of significant springtime high wind events for our area.

With that in mind, fire staff will look for opportunities to move forward with ignitions, but will postpone the project to a later time if such conditions and weather do not pan out.

This week's community meeting will still be held. Please join us in person to discuss and ask questions about the prescribed fire.

April 10, 2023 - The Eldorado National Forest (ENF) Amador Ranger District will be conducting a prescribed pile burn today from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm as weather and environmental conditions allow. There is approximately 250 acres planned in the Scottiago area.  Residents and visitors will see flames and smoke visible throughout the day and evening. Firefighters will be monitoring the area until all piles are extinguished.

Prescribed fire plays an important role in forest health and reducing extreme wildfires and their negative impact. These fires also help reduce heavy fuel loads while simultaneously opening the conifer forest structure and maintaining the health of meadow habitats. Fire is also used to enhance native plant communities and cultural landscapes and improve wildlife habitats. Another goal is to provide defensible space for communities and developed areas within and surrounding the ENF. With all fire comes smoke, the U.S. Forest Service work to mitigate smoke impacts from prescribed fires on the communities in the area.

#PrescribedBurn #PrescribedFire #ForestHealth #Scottiagoprescribedburn

Ignitions are complete for today, April 9. Resources will remain to patrol, monitor, and mop up. Smoke may continue to be visible in the area in the coming days. There will be no active ignitions tomorrow or throughout this coming week. We expect to revisit the possibility for continuing the burn after April 17.

Firefighters have determined that conditions are clear to continue ignitions. Smoke may be visible. There will be no active ignitions after today, April 9, or throughout this coming week. We expect to revisit the possibility for continuing the burn after April 17.

At approximately 12:30 p.m. Today, April 8, firefighters conducted a test fire and have determined that conditions are clear to allow Forsythe II Prescribed Burn ignitions to continue as planned.

Smoke may be visible at this time, particularly in the following areas: Lakeshore subdivision, Crescent Village, Crescent Meadows, Gross Reservoir, Walker Park Ranch, Miramonte, Wondervu, Eldorado Canyon State Park, and parts of east Boulder County. Prescribed fire smoke may affect your health. More information is available at https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health.

The prescribed burn is situated just west of Gross Reservoir. The immediate area around Forsythe Canyon and Winiger Ridge will be closed to recreation while prescribed burn operations are active.

Bent Willow Fire

Start Date 4/4/2023

Containment: 90%

Acreage: 8,118 GPS'd

Cause: Undetermined

As of yesterday, 4/7/2023, crews continued to work diligently on mop up around the fire. In the morning, minimal smokes were seen and fire activity was low. All lines on the fire were finished being rehabbed with a Texas A&M Forest Service grader and private grader. No concerns seemed to show throughout the fire yesterday. Aircraft flew over to check for smoke or heat and found none. Out of region crews were sent back to their respective duty stations and the fire is being staffed by the local Potter County Fire Department and Texas A&M Forest Service Task Force.

For today, 4/8/2023, Crews have retuned this morning to the fire and the operational plan for today is to continue to patrol, monitor and mop up any heats found. With the size of this fire, crews want to make sure that there are no concerns for future flare ups and get all heats extinguished. 

Valley Fire Daily Update

April 7, 2023

8:00 PM

Size: 248 acres

Containment: 100%

Date Started: April 3, 2023

Cause: Unknown, human caused

State resources from Texas A&M Forest Service and Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aird System returned to the Valley Fire on Friday, April 7th to monitor conditions and watch for smoke, at the end of the operational shift, Texas A&M Forest Service decided to put the fire at 100 percent containment after not fire activity was spotted and favorable weather conditions would persist through the weekend.

Evacuations and Closures

None at this time.

Damages and Injuries

None at this time.

Bent Willow Fire

Start Date 4/4/2023

Containment: 85%

Acreage: 8,118 GPS'd

Cause: Undetermined

As of yesterday, 4/7/2023, crews continued to work diligently on mop up around the fire. In the morning, minimal smokes were seen and fire activity was low. Towards the early afternoon, winds picked up and more smokes and heat became present. A spot fire (A fire igniting outside the perimeter of the main fire by a fire brand) occurred on the Left flank yesterday. Crews quickly got to the spot fire and were able to get it suppressed quickly at one acre. Motor graders have been working on fixing  fire lines by filling in ruts or flattening berms throughout the fire. Crews were also able to get better mapping and GPS the fire to be at 8,118 acres.

For today, 4/7/2023, Crews have retuned this morning to the fire and the operational plan for today is to continue to mop up and patrol. Engines will be seeking any hot spots throughout the fire and heavy equipment will be continuing rehab of fire line. Personnel on the fire have been designated to be able to respond to any new starts that may occur. There are no weather concerns for today.

Valley Fire Daily Update

April 6, 2023

10:00 AM

Size: 248 acres

Containment: 90%

Date Started: April 3, 2023

Cause: Unknown, human caused

State resources from Texas A&M Forest Service and Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aird System returned to the Valley Fire early this morning to continue mop up and patrolling for any hot spots within the burn area. Crews will continue these operations through this operational period. Very little activity or smoke has been observed over the past two days.

Evacuations and Closures

None at this time.

Damages and Injuries

None at this time.