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For Immediate Release
May 6, 2008
Prescribed Burn in Piedra Area
Temporary Trail, River and Area Closure Continues
Ignition specialist, Mark Lauer, of the San Juan Public Lands reported
1,000 acres successfully burned yesterday in the Piedra Area of the San
Juan National Forest. Winds were favorable for burning and smoke
dispersal. Fire managers are pleased with the fire behavior and the
amount of area burned. To meet air quality requirements, ignition ended
at 3:30 p.m.
Burning will continue today with fire fighters on the ground igniting;
followed by aerial ignition—the use of polystyrene sphere devices (PSD)
dropped from a helicopter. A PSD is a sphere about the size of a ping
pong ball that contains potassium permanganate. Thousands of spheres are
loaded in a hopper that has a machine with four chutes. As they are
dropped through the chute from the helicopter, the spheres are injected
with ethylene glycol. They ignite in about 20 seconds, giving them time
to fall and 5-10 seconds on the ground before they burn.
The Piedra Prescribed Burn is located within the Pagosa Ranger District
about eighteen air miles northwest of Pagosa Springs, between Davis
Creek, Coldwater Creek, and First Fork with Piedra River to the south.
Snows upslope in wetter forest types will border the burn area to the
north.
For public safety, closures to trails, river boating and areas will
continue today and after the burn period. The Piedra River Trail (#596)
and the area it accesses are closed to entry between the trailhead at
First Fork and the junction with the Sand Creek Trail. The temporary
closure began on the first day of the burn and may continue for two
weeks or more.
The Piedra River is closed to any boating during the actual burning
operations. Signs are posted at the Upper Piedra Trailhead and boat
put-in.
The First Fork Road (#622) is currently closed at Sheep Creek/Monument
Park Road West due to the condition of the road.
You may call the Pagosa Public Lands office of the San Juan Public Lands
at 970-264-2268 to receive updates on the status of the Piedra
Prescribed Burn and entry closures. A recording regarding the status of
the burn and associated closures is available at that number after hours
and on weekends. |
