The Bureau of Land Management Tres Rios Field Office plans to conduct several prescribed burns beginning April 15 or as conditions allow in the Dawson Project Area in San Miguel and Dolores counties 13 miles east-northeast of Dove Creek.
The burns will treat up to 885 acres of piñon, juniper and mixed mountain shrub, said Deana Harms in a news release Monday morning. In addition, crews will continue treating up to 1,900 acres of ponderosa pine and Gambel oak within the West Dolores Rim Project Area, about 7 miles east of Dove Creek and locally referred to as the East and North Pines.
The planned burns are part of a larger project to reduce hazardous fuels and protect wildland-urban communities, range conditions, and habitat for big game and sage grouse.
“Last year, several West Dolores Rim Project units were successfully treated and are already showing signs of improved habitat,” the news release said.
“Both project areas have detailed prescribed burn plans outlining specific parameters that must be met to ensure the burn is controlled successfully,” said Tyler Corbin, acting BLM Fire Management Specialist. “We will continue to monitor weather conditions and air quality to minimize the potential for smoke impacts on the health and safety of our communities and fire resources.”
No road closures are expected during the project, but campers were encouraged to avoid the area because of increased traffic and the likelihood of smoke in the area, particularly at night.
Multiple days of burning may occur from spring into fall. Expect visible smoke in the area for several days after each burn is completed as vegetation continues to smolder, the news release said.
For information on prescribed burns, visit the Southwest District BLM Prescribed Fire InciWeb page (https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7852/) or follow us on Twitter (https://twitter.com/SWD_Fire) and Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/BLMMontroseFireUnit).
