The San Juan National Forest is planning prescribed fire operations this fall, pending all required approvals. Burning operations may take place over multiple days, but are always dependent upon multiple conditions, including personnel availability, fuel conditions, weather and approval from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Objectives of the burns include reduction of hazardous fuels, improving forage conditions for wildlife species, and reducing the risk of wildfire impacts to communities.
Maps of the prescribed burn units and additional San Juan National Forest prescribed fire program news can be found on Inciweb. For information about the San Juan National Forest, call (970) 247-4874 or visit the forest website.
The following prescribed fire projects are planned and prepared for implementation if and when favorable conditions allow..
Recent rainfall on some parts of the Pagosa Ranger District has exceeded 2 inches, and additional moisture is expected.
The district has anticipated beginning with the Brockover-Devil Prescribed Fire as early as September 15, pending all required approvals.
Brockover-Devil Prescribed Fire
This 2,450-acre unit is located in the Turkey Springs area, 8 miles northwest of Pagosa Springs and approximately one-half mile from the Hatcher subdivision, immediately adjacent to National Forest System roads (NFSRs) 629 (Turkey Springs), 919 (Brockover) and 923 (Newt Jack Road). During operations smoke may be visible from Pagosa Springs, the Pagosa Lakes Property Owners Association, County Road 600 between U.S. 160 and the Piedra River Trailhead, and U.S. 160 between Timberline Ridge and downtown Pagosa Springs.
No official closures are expected, but there will be traffic control in the following locations during burn operations: NFSRs 629, 919 and 923. Forest users should avoid National Forest System Trails 301, 303, 305, 313, 316, 319 and portions of 304 and 323 during burn operations.
8 Mile Mesa Prescribed Fire
This project is located 6.5 miles south of Pagosa Springs between Loma Linda and Lower Blanco. The 700-acre project area is broken into multiple units located along NFSRs road 651, 651.B, 651.C, 651.D, 651.D1, and 651.E. During operations smoke may be visible from Pagosa Springs, Chromo, U.S. 84 between Echo Canyon Reservoir and Kenny Flats, County Road 335, and County Road 500 between Pagosa Junction and Pagosa Springs.
No official closures are expected, but there will be traffic control in the following locations during burn operations: 651 road system below switchbacks through the 651.E junction.
For more information, please contact Pagosa Ranger District Fuels Specialist Brian Austin at brian.austin@usda.gov. or (970) 264-1541.
Residents may experience smoke during the prescribed burns. Learn how smoke from prescribed fire may affect your health by visiting the Colorado Department of Public Health website. When driving, slow down and turn on your headlights when you encounter smoke on the road. We will evaluate weather conditions in the hours before a burn begins. If conditions warrant, scheduled prescribed fire activities may be canceled.