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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: April 29, 2008
Hermosa Prescribed Burn Progressing
Fire managers for the San Juan Public Lands are pleased with how
operations on the Hermosa prescribed burn have been progressing. Aerial
ignition yesterday added another 1,185 acres completed on the project
located about 10 miles north of Durango.
Operations will continue today with smoke visible from around the Four
Corners, possibly as far away as Cortez, Pagosa Springs, and Farmington.
Smoke settled in the Animas Valley and other low lying areas overnight,
but should lift out by mid to late morning.
The Hermosa prescribed burn project area is located at an elevation of
8,000 to 10,000 feet in the Hermosa drainage. The lower section of the
project area closest to private land was burned Sunday and serves as a
buffer for areas being ignited today. Also, snow around the project
area is providing a cool, wet fireline.
“The area that we will be burning today is in the backcountry and
surrounded by snow. There is no risk of escape from the project area
even with higher winds,” said prescribed fire burn boss Craig Goodell.
“Our biggest concern with higher winds is whether or not our helicopters
can fly safely.”
Winds for the burn area are predicted to be upslope, which would push
fire towards the snow and away from any private or low elevation lands.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has declared a Red Flag warning for
areas 7,000 feet in elevation and lower today. When determining whether
or not to call a Red Flag warning, the Weather Service looks at a
variety of factors, not just wind.
Besides wind speed, the NWS considers elevation, temperature, relative
humidity, and fuel moisture content. Vegetation with a higher fuel
moisture content will burn with less intensity. Although the wind speed
is predicted to increase in the project area, fuel moisture content in
the vegetation is much higher because of the remaining snow and moisture
in the ground at the higher elevation.
The southern portion of the main Hermosa Creek Trail, as well as the
Jones Creek, Dutch Creek, Little Elk, and Clear Creek Trails will remain
closed throughout the duration of the project and for a short time after
completion. The northern portions of the Hermosa area trails are still
under snow. No roads will be affected.
For more information contact Laurie Robison at 970-394-4327. |
