Firefighters planning prescribed burn South of Silt
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SILT, Colo. – Firefighters from the Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Unit are planning a 381-acre prescribed fire about 10 miles south of Silt, Colo., in early April.
Smoke from the fire may be seen from the Colorado River corridor as well as the Roaring Fork Valley and Eagle County.
“We will only ignite this prescribed fire if conditions are ideal for a safe, effective burn, as well as for good smoke dispersal away from area communities,” said Rusty Stark, fuels specialist for the Bureau of Land Management Colorado River Valley Field Office.
The West Divide Prescribed Fire will decrease the amount of vegetation that has accumulated in the area, which hasn’t had a fire in a number of years. This will help reduce the risk of a larger wildfire, improve forest health, and improve wildlife habitat by stimulating new, more nutritious plant production in the burned area.
The burn is planned on BLM-managed land near the upper reaches of West Divide Creek in oak brush and mountain shrubs.
Fire managers have developed a detailed prescribed fire plan and obtained smoke permits from the State of Colorado for each of the planned burns.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.