The Pagosa Ranger District is planning prescribed burning for approximately 200 acres in the Vega la Juana area near Colorado Highway 151 and Forest Service Road 856 sometime today or next week. The actual dates of burning operations will be dependent on weather and fuels conditions.
The burns will happen on two units of approximately 100 acres each. Ignition operations may take place over several consecutive days. The units consist of ponderosa pine and Gambel oak forests. The units have received previous fuels-reduction treatments.
Burning operations will be conducted by district personnel and other fire resources from the San Juan National Forest. The purpose is to reduce hazardous ground fuels, reduce the risk of unplanned catastrophic wildfire, restore ponderosa pine ecosystems and improve critical winter range for deer and elk.
For additional information, please contact Fred Ellis at the Pagosa Ranger District (970) 264-1541.
