The Dolores Ranger District is conducting several prescribed burns in the Boggy Draw area, north of Dolores.
“Fire effects were excellent with moderate fire behavior,” said Matt Traynham, burn boss for the prescribed fire. “We plan to continue (Wednesday) with ignitions, totaling 2,096 acres, utilizing hand and aerial ignitions.”
Burning operations will take place over multiple days when weather and fuel conditions are favorable. Both hand and aerial ignition methods will be used and continue throughout the fall, based on conditions.
Project areas identified for burning are in the Boggy Draw area, including 3,702 acres along Forest Service roads 526, 527, 528 and 529.
Burning operations will be conducted by Forest Service personnel, assisted by fire resources from cooperating agencies.
Smoke from the burn was visible Tuesday night in the Animas Valley, north of Durango.
During burning operations, smoke will also likely be visible from areas around Mancos, Dolores, Dove Creek, Cortez and U.S. Highway 491 between Dove Creek and Pleasant View. Smoke may settle into low lying valleys and the Dolores River Canyon overnight. Smoke monitoring will be conducted, and ignitions will be scheduled to minimize smoke impacts to communities.
This effort will reduce hazardous ground fuels, lessen the risk of unplanned large-scale wildfire, help restore ponderosa pine ecosystems and improve wildlife habitat.
Prescribed burning operations will take place only when weather, fuels and smoke parameters are met.
For more information, call 882-6838 or visit www.fs.usda.gov/sanjuan.
