For The Journal
The Dolores Ranger District announced that it has burned slash piles in the Chicken Creek area of the San Juan National Forest, but has delayed burning about eight other piles until traffic at the nordic ski trail has decreased.
Derek Padilla, Dolores district ranger, said that the piles were surrounded by snow, and the burns went well, without incident.
About 30 slash piles had remained from an old timber sale. The area is about 5 miles north of Mancos near the intersection of County Road 41 with Forest Service Road 385.
To complete the project, piles directly adjacent to the ski trail may be burned in late February.
Operations typically take place over several days after snowfall. Firefighters will ignite and closely monitor pile-burning activities. For more information, contact the Dolores District Office at 970-882-7296.