The San Juan National Forest’s Dolores and Pagosa Ranger Districts are planning to conduct prescribed fires starting the week of April 26. Burning operations will take place over several days when weather and fuel conditions are favorable and may continue into the fall season based on conditions. Both hand and aerial ignition methods may be utilized, following the weather, fuel, and smoke parameters stated in the prescribed fire plan. Operations will be conducted by Forest Service personnel with assistance from cooperating agencies.
Reintroduction of prescribed fire improves and restore vegetative conditions. This effort will reduce hazardous ground fuels, lessen the risk of unplanned large wildfire, and help improve ponderosa pine stands and wildlife habitat.
Pagosa District Fire and Fuels Management Staff identified the following areas for prescribed fire implementation:
- Between Newt Jack Road (NFSR 923) and Catamount Trail (Trail 313)
- Between Turkey Springs Road (NFSR 629), south of Brockover Road (NFSR 919), and Gopher Trail (Trail 303)
Dolores District Fire and Fuels Management Staff identified the following areas for prescribed fire implementation:
- Haycamp Mesa: 10 miles east of Dolores along Haycamp Mesa Road, (NFSR 556).
- Boggy Draw: 3 to 15 miles northeast of Dolores, along the Dolores-Norwood Road near Little Bean Canyon, Boggy Draw Road (NFSR 527), and Cottonwood Canyon Road (NFSR 532).
- Salter: 7 to 15 miles east of Cahone, near Salter Y and Ormiston Point Road (NFSR 521).
Forest visitors should use caution on the trails following burn operations. Maps of the prescribed fire area and prescribed fire program news can be found on InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6288/.
During burning operations in Dolores, smoke may be visible in Mancos, Dolores, Dove Creek, Cortez, and Highway 491 between Dove Creek and Pleasant View. At night, smoke may settle into low lying valleys and the Dolores River. During burning operations in Pagosa, smoke may be visible from Pagosa Springs, Highway 160, and the Chimney Rock area. At night, smoke may settle into low lying valleys, Devil Creek, and Martinez Canyon. Smoke monitoring will be conducted, and ignitions scheduled to minimize smoke impacts to communities. Prescribed fire smoke may affect your health. More information is at: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health
For more information on these prescribed fires, please contact:
Pagosa Ranger District: Assistant Fire Management Officer Fred Ellis at (970) 264-2268.
Dolores Ranger District: Acting Assistant Fire Management Officer Dan Kaufenberg at (970) 882-6834.
All offices on the San Juan National Forest are currently conducting business and providing services virtually. For information on the San Juan National Forest, call (970) 247-4874, visit the forest website.