The Bureau of Land Management’s Little Snake Field Office is planning a prescribed fire 5 miles west of Greystone in the Douglas Mountain area. The BLM is targeting 432 acres of BLM administered lands. Fire managers are looking at implementing the project as early as April 22 and could extend through May 16 as conditions warrant. The goal of the prescribed fire is to reduce wildfire threat to cabins and structures located in the Chicken Springs area, reduce excess brush, pinyon pine, and to improve range conditions.
“We will only initiate the prescribed fire if conditions are ideal for a safe and effective burn as well as for good smoke dispersal away from local communities,” said Toni Toelle, Supervisory Fire Management Specialist, Northwest District Fire and Aviation Management Unit.
Smoke will be visible from the community of Greystone, Highway 318, and possibly Highway 40. Most of the smoke will dissipate during the day, but some nighttime smoke may remain in valley bottoms as temperatures drop. Any carry-over smoke is expected to be short-term. The public is reminded to not call 911 or emergency services even though smoke may be visible.
Firefighter activity will likely be seen for several days following the burn.
Prescribed burns must be carried out in accordance with the Interagency Prescribed Fire Planning and Implementation Procedures Guide. The burn is also conducted in accordance with the State of Colorado Smoke Management Plan and Memorandum of Understanding and regulated under Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Air Pollution Control Division. The Air Pollution Control Division will issue an open burn permit, which specifies smoke dispersal conditions and other stipulations under which burning may occur. Weather and fuel moisture conditions will be closely monitored.
Original source can be found here.
