By Esther Godson
The San Juan National Forest Columbine Ranger District plans to burn slash piles beginning in early January. These piles were generated from forest thinning projects to improve forest health, resiliency, and mitigate wildfire risk. Although burning could continue through March, these activities should not affect public access or use of the forest. Operations typically take place after snowfall and firefighters will ignite and closely monitor pile-burning activities.
The slash piles are located along Fosset Gulch Road in the HD Mountains, south of Highway 160, east of Bayfield, and west of the Piedra River. Smoke may be visible from Highway 160 between Bayfield and Pagosa Springs, as well as from Highway 151 north of Arboles.
Prescribed fire smoke may affect your health. For more information, please go to: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health
For additional information on Columbine Ranger District area pile burns, please contact the Columbine Ranger District at (970) 884-1425.
For information on prescribed burns, wildfires and fire restrictions on the San Juan National Forest, call 970 247- 4874, or visit the Forest Website at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/sanjuan/ and follow us on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/SanJuanNF
The Pagosa Daily Post welcomes submissions, photos, letters and videos from people who love Pagosa Springs, Colorado. Call 970-903-2673 or email pagosadailypost@gmail.com