Fire could smolder until winter arrives
A smoke plume from the controlled burn in Saul's Creek became visible Sept. 12 and grew over the weekend.
The start of the Southwest Cross Country Challenge on Sept. 13 was hazy for middle school cross country runners.
A controlled burn started in the Saul's Creek area on Sept. 12 made for some smoky conditions east of Bayfield last week.
The ignition procedures were completed Sept. 15, but crews will monitor the area until the snow flies, said Ann Bond, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Forest Service. The fire burned 1,100 acres, primarily of undergrowth and ground debris, but left larger trees intact.
"We still have firefighters out there monitoring smoking logs and stump holes within the interior, which is normal," Bond said. "We have signs posted with safety messages letting people know the conditions to expect if they enter the burned area, but nothing is closed to the public."
