The Columbine Ranger District is planning a prescribed burn this fall in the Pargin Mountain and the Beaver Meadows/First Notch areas of the San Juan National Forest 10 to 18 miles east of Bayfield, beginning as early as mid-August.
Burning operations in the area may continue throughout October, weather permitting. This planned event will use both ground and aerial ignition methods, while also following the weather and fuel perimeters stated in the prescribed fire plan.
The Pargin prescribed fire covers just under 5,675 acres south of Highway 160 between Bayfield and Pagosa Springs. This unit was last burned in 2016.
The Vallecito-Piedra Unit 1 prescribed fire encompasses a total of 5,771 acres between Beaver Creek Road and First Notch Road, north of Highway 160 between Bayfield and Pagosa Springs.
Reintroduction of prescribed fire is necessary to improve and restore vegetative conditions. Daytime smoke is expected to travel to the north/northeast and to be lofted high into the atmosphere, therefore affecting local residents only minimally.
Nighttime smoke will travel downslope into the Beaver Creek drainage, the Piedra River and south to the Pine River just north of Ignacio.
Prescribed fire smoke may affect your health. For more information, visit bit.ly/2OSReXq or call 884-2512.
