DURANGO INTERAGENCY FIRE DISPATCH
U.S. Forest Service Bureau of Land Management National Park Service
Bureau of Indian Affairs Colorado State Forest Service
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Prescribed Burn Planned for Hermosa Area from Sunday through Next Week
Media Contact: Craig Goodell, 970 385-1207 or 970 799-1165
A prescribed burn is planned for the Hermosa drainage of the San Juan
National Forest about 10 miles north of Durango, beginning this Sunday,
April 27, 2008. Fire managers hope to burn about 3,800 acres of mostly
south-facing slopes. The project could take up to five days to complete,
depending upon weather and burning conditions. Residents will see smoke
rising from the area and should not be alarmed. Forest Service fire
officials will monitor the operation at all times by air and ground.
The southern portion of the main Hermosa Creek Trail, as well as the
Jones Creek, Dutch Creek, Little Elk, and Clear Creek Trails will be
closed during the operation and for a short time after completion. The
northern portions of Hermosa area trails are still under snow. No roads
will be affected.
Weather patterns are expected to take the smoke to the northeast during
the day; however, the North Animas Valley will experience some smoke
inversions at night. Overnight smoke should lift out of the valleys by
mid to late morning each day. Smoke monitors will be set up in the
valley to ensure that State of Colorado air-quality standards are not
exceeded.
The primary objective is to reduce forest fuels by top-killing oak brush
and burning surface debris, while leaving the larger trees alive. The
goal is to minimize the chances that a destructive wildlife will occur
in the area, threatening the natural resources of the National Forest
and the safety of surrounding populated areas.
Because of the rugged and roadless character of the terrain, most of the
ignition will take place by helicopter; however, the aerial ignition
will be carefully coordinated with handcrews to ensure that the fire
remains in the targeted areas. Early spring is an optimum time for
prescribed burning because, although south-facing slopes are dry, the
north-facing slopes and higher terrain still retain snow and moisture,
which serves to keep the fire from moving outside of the planned burn
area.
A clear weather forecast will be needed to assure predictable fire
behavior and maximize smoke dispersion. Wind, moisture, and other
factors must be taken into account. For these reasons, the exact timing
of the prescribed burn could change at the last minute.
For more information, contact the Columbine Ranger District of the San
Juan National Forest at 970 884-2512. |
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