Interagency fall prescribed burn program about to begin in southern Colorado
Organization
Media Contact:
CANON CITY, Colo. – Fire crews from the Bureau of Land Management Royal Gorge Field Office and the U.S. Forest Service Pike and San Isabel National Forests will join forces as they carry out their prescribed burning program this fall in southern Colorado. Planned ignitions will begin when weather and fuel conditions become optimal for achieving management objectives while keeping smoke impacts to a minimum in surrounding communities. Weather and fuel conditions will be closely monitored and the prescribed burning program will continue through the fall season as long as conditions allow.
Prescribed fire combined with mechanical or hand thinning treatments is an effective land management tool used to reduce the accumulation of hazardous fuels and old and dense vegetation. Minimizing hazardous fuels reduces fire intensity and the risk of catastrophic wildland fires, which in turn minimizes the risk to firefighter and public safety. It also improves wildlife habitat, protects and promotes healthy watersheds and maintains healthier ecosystems.
Each prescribed burn has a detailed prescribed fire plan developed in advance, along with appropriate smoke permits obtained from state agencies.
Areas slated for treatment are:
- Black Mountain: 2,100 acres on the San Isabel National Forest. Fuels are primarily ponderosa pine, grasses, and pinion and juniper in Huerfano County. The project area is located 6 miles north of Gardner.
- Deerhaven: 200 acres on BLM lands in ponderosa pine, oak brush and grasses in Fremont County. This project area is located approximately 20 miles northwest of Canon City.
- Trail Gulch: 350 acres on BLM lands in ponderosa pine, oak brush, grasses and mechanically treated fuels in Fremont County. This project area is located approximately 20 miles north of Canon City.
Contacts: Dennis Page, Fuels Management Specialist, USFS 719-269-8584
Glenda Torres, Fuels Program Lead, BLM 719-269-8582
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.