Conditions are favorable today to conduct burning on the Haycamp Mesa prescribed burn unit. This 1,162-acre burn unit located in the Haycamp Mesa area along NFSR 556 and NFSR 390, approximately 10 miles east of Dolores, Colorado.

Fire Managers are monitoring the weather conditions on the Haycamp Mesa Prescribed Burn. Burning operations started at 9:30 AM this morning with hand ignition operations on the perimeter of the burn unit. Aerial ignition will be conducted once the perimeter is widened from burning on the Haycamp Prescribed Burn unit. The burn area is at a higher elevation, therefore the vegetation is not as dry and temperatures are cooler, than the surrounding areas that are expecting Red Flag Warning conditions.

Smoke will be visible from Highways 145, 184, 160 and the surrounding communities of Dolores, Mancos and Cortez. Two operational smoke monitor devices are in Dolores and Mancos to monitor smoke levels. These monitors are required by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment smoke permitting process. Fire resources are on scene, please do not report.

For more information about the prescribed burning on the San Juan National Forest, visit InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6288/

Fire Managers on the Dolores Ranger District have been closely monitoring the weather and conditions are looking favorable to conduct a prescribed burn on a 1,162-acre unit in the Haycamp Mesa area on May 7. This prescribed burn is located approximately 10 miles east of Dolores, Colorado along the Haycamp Mesa Road (NFSR 556 & NFSR 390).

Smoke will be visible from Highways 145, 184, 160 and surrounding communities of Dolores, Mancos, and Cortez. There are two operational smoke monitor devices located in Dolores and Mancos to monitor smoke levels. These monitors are required by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment smoke permitting process.

The reintroduction of prescribed fire will improve and restore vegetative conditions and reduce hazardous ground fuels in the area.

Conditions remain too damp in the Haycamp Mesa area from yesterday’s storm to meet fire managers prescribed burn objectives. The Haycamp Prescribed Burn located approximately 10 miles east of Dolores, CO along the Haycamp Mesa Road (NFSR 556) has been postponed. 

Dolores Ranger District plans to prescribe burn a 1,162-acre unit on Haycamp Mesa on May 4 if conditions allow. This prescribed burn is located approximately 10 miles east of Dolores, Colorado along the Haycamp Mesa Road (NFSR 556). Reintroducing prescribed fire will improve and restore vegetative conditions and reduce hazardous ground fuels.

Durango, Colo., April 23, 2021 — The San Juan National Forest’s Dolores and Pagosa Ranger Districts are planning to conduct prescribed fires starting the week of April 26th. Burning operations will take place over several days when weather and fuel conditions are favorable and may continue into the fall season based on conditions. Both hand and aerial ignition methods may be utilized, following the weather, fuel, and smoke parameters stated in the prescribed fire plan. Operations will be conducted by Forest Service personnel with assistance from cooperating agencies. Reintroduction of prescribed fire improves and restore vegetative conditions. This effort will reduce hazardous ground fuels, lessen the risk of unplanned large wildfire, and help improve ponderosa pine stands and wildlife habitat.

Dolores District Fire and Fuels Management Staff identified the following areas for prescribed fire implementation:

• Haycamp Mesa: 10 miles east of Dolores along Haycamp Mesa Road, (NFSR 556). 

• Boggy Draw: 3 to 15 miles northeast of Dolores, along the Dolores-Norwood Road near Little Bean Canyon, Boggy Draw Road (NFSR 527), and Cottonwood Canyon Road (NFSR 532).

• Salter: 7 to 15 miles east of Cahone, near Salter Y and Ormiston Point Road (NFSR 521).

Pagosa District Fire and Fuels Management Staff identified the following areas for prescribed fire implementation:

• Between Newt Jack Road (NFSR 923) and Catamount Trail (Trail 313)

• Between Turkey Springs Road (NFSR 629), south of Brockover Road (NFSR 919), and Gopher Trail (Trail 303)

Forest visitors should use caution on the trails following burn operations. Maps of the prescribed fire area and prescribed fire program news can be found on InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6288/.

During burning operations in Dolores, smoke may be visible in Mancos, Dolores, Dove Creek, Cortez, and Highway 491 between Dove Creek and Pleasant View. At night, smoke may settle into low lying valleys and the Dolores River. During burning operations in Pagosa, smoke may be visible from Pagosa Springs, Highway 160, and the Chimney Rock area. At night, smoke may settle into low lying valleys, Devil Creek, and Martinez Canyon. Smoke monitoring will be conducted, and ignitions scheduled to minimize smoke impacts to communities. Prescribed fire smoke may affect your health. More information is at: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health

For more information on these prescribed fires, please contact:

• Dolores Ranger District: Acting Assistant Fire Management Officer Dan Kaufenberg at (970) 882-6834. 

• Pagosa Ranger District: Assistant Fire Management Officer Fred Ellis at (970) 264-2268. 

All offices on the San Juan National Forest are currently conducting business and providing services virtually. For information on the San Juan National Forest, call (970) 247-4874, visit the forest website, or follow us on social media (Twitter and Facebook).

PAGOSA SPRINGS, Colo., April 9, 2021 — The San Juan National Forest’s Pagosa Ranger District is planning to conduct a prescribed fire starting in late April. Burning operations will take place over several days when weather and fuel conditions are favorable and may continue into the fall season based on conditions. Both hand and aerial ignition methods may be utilized, following the weather, fuel, and smoke parameters stated in the prescribed fire plan. Burning operations will be conducted by Forest Service personnel with assistance from cooperating agencies.

Project areas identified for prescribed fire implementation are:

• Between Newt Jack Road (Forest Road 923) and Catamount Trail (Forest Trail 313)

• Between Turkey Springs Road (Forest Road 629), south of Brockover Road (Forest Road 919), and Gopher Trail (Forest Trail 303)

Reintroduction of prescribed fire is necessary to improve and restore vegetative conditions. 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 fire also reduces the ladder fuels that can carry fire into the canopy, killing mature trees.

During burning operations, smoke may be visible from Pagosa Springs, U.S. Highway 160, and the Chimney Rock area. Smoke may settle into low lying valleys, Devil Creek, and Martinez Canyon overnight. Smoke monitoring will be conducted, and ignitions scheduled to minimize smoke impacts to communities. Prescribed fire smoke may affect your health. More information can be found online: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health

Forest visitors should use caution on the trails following burn operations. Maps of the prescribed fire area and additional prescribed fire program news can be found on InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6288/. For more information, please contact Assistant Fire Management Officer, Fred Ellis, at 970-264-2268. 

All offices on the San Juan National Forest are currently conducting business and providing services virtually. For information on the San Juan National Forest, call (970) 247-4874, visit the forest website, or follow us on social media (Twitter and Facebook).

DOLORES, Colo., March 17, 2021—The San Juan National Forest’s Dolores Ranger District is planning to conduct several prescribed burns starting in April. Burning operations will take place over multiple days when weather and fuel conditions are favorable and may continue throughout the summer and into fall based on conditions. Both hand and aerial ignition methods may be utilized, following the weather, fuel and smoke parameters stated in the prescribed fire plan. Burning operations will be conducted by U.S. Forest Service personnel assisted by fire resources from cooperating agencies.

• Haycamp Mesa: 5,131 acres located 10 miles east of Dolores along Haycamp Mesa Road, (NFSR 556). 

• Boggy Draw: 5,041 acres located 3 to 15 miles northeast of Dolores, along the Dolores-Norwood Road near Little Bean Canyon, Boggy Draw Road (NFSR 527), and Cottonwood Canyon Road (NFSR 532).

• Salter: 3,904 acres located 7 to 15 miles east of Cahone, near Salter Y and Ormiston Point Road (NFSR 521).

Media contact: Lorena Williams (970) 422-2939  Lorena.williams@usda.gov

BAYFIELD, Colo., March 15, 2021— The Columbine Ranger District is planning a prescribed burn this spring in the Beaver Meadows/First Notch areas of the San Juan NF. Weather permitting, burning operations in the area will begin in early April and could continue through early May. The Vallecito-Piedra project may take several weeks to complete. This planned event will use both ground and aerial ignition methods while following the weather and fuel parameters stated in the prescribed fire plan.

The Vallecito-Piedra prescribed fire encompasses a total of approximately 3,500 acres between Beaver Creek Road and First Notch Road, north of Highway 160 between Bayfield and Pagosa Springs. Only 1,051 acres are planned for spring prescribed fire; the remaining acres are planned for Autumn of 2021.

Reintroduction of prescribed fire is necessary to improve and restore vegetative conditions. The prescribed burns will improve habitat for deer and elk by encouraging re-sprouting of oak and allowing sunlight to stimulate the growth of grasses and forbs. These projects are also designed to improve the health of ponderosa pine stands by reducing competition from Gambel oak, removing ground litter to expose mineral soil for seed germination, and releasing natural minerals and nutrients into the soil. Prescribed fire also reduces the ladder fuels that can carry fire into the canopy, killing mature trees.

Daytime smoke is expected to travel to the north/northeast and to be lofted high into the atmosphere. However, nighttime smoke will travel downslope into the Beaver Creek drainage, the Piedra River, and south to the Pine River just north of Ignacio. Smoke will be heavier in the mornings following burning operations, lifting and clearing out by mid-day, and will be visible from Bayfield, Pagosa Springs, and along the Highway 160 corridor between those two towns. Prescribed fire smoke may affect your health.  For more information see: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health

Maps of the prescribed burn units and additional San Juan National Forest prescribed fire program news can be found on InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6288/. For more information, please contact Columbine District Fuels Assistant Fire Management Officer Noah Daniels by email at noah.daniels@usda.gov or by phone at (970) 884-1430.

All offices on the San Juan National Forest are currently conducting business and providing services virtually. For information on the San Juan National Forest, call (970) 247-4874, visit the forest website, or follow us on social media (Twitter and Facebook).

Media Contact: Esther Godson  Email: esther.godson@usda.gov  Telephone: 970-385-1219 

Durango, CO., November 27, 2019 - The San Juan National Forest Columbine Ranger District plans to burn slash piles beginning in early December. These piles were generated from forest thinning projects to improve forest health, resiliency, and mitigate wildfire risk. Although burning could continue through April, these activities should not affect public access or use of the forest.  Operations typically take place after snowfall and firefighters will ignite and closely monitor pile-burning activities.  

Media Contact: Esther Godson  Email: esther.godson@usda.gov  Telephone: 970-385-1219 

Durango, CO., November 18, 2019 - The Dolores and Pagosa Districts are planning to burn slash piles this week. Piles were generated from forest thinning, timber sales, and fuels reduction projects in areas targeted to reduce wildfire hazards to nearby private residences and other infrastructure. Although burning could continue through the winter, these activities should not affect public access or use of the forest. Operations typically take place after significant precipitation events and firefighters will closely monitor pile-burning activities.
 

Pile burning will take place in the following locations:

Dolores Ranger District:

Chicken Creek area, seven miles north of Mancos, near FSR #385, two miles northeast of Joe Moore Reservoir. Piles may also be burned adjacent to Joe Moore Reservoir along FSR #693. Smoke may be visible from highway 184.

Pagosa Ranger District:


Turkey Springs FSR #629, Cabazon Canyon (Forest Service land adjacent to Archuleta County Road 917). Smoke may be visible from highway 160, 151 and Archuleta County Road 600.

Highway 151 area north of Southern Ute land.  Smoke may be visible from highway 151 and 160.