Mesa Verde National Park is planning to implement a prescribed fire between February 4 to March 29, 2019, weather permitting. The Chapin Mesa area prescribed fire is being conducted to dispose of material created during fuel reduction projects from this summer.
The prescribed burn area is one acre in size and fuels are primarily comprised of gamble oak, piñon and juniper. Burning at this time of year should produce low intensity fire behavior while still achieving desired fuel reduction goals. Ignition operations should take one day, but the unit may produce smoke for several days afterwards. Visitors to Mesa Verde may see smoke in the southwestern part of the park during these activities.
Prescribed fire smoke may affect your health. For more information see: www.colorado.gov/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health.
For more information contact Keith Krause, Mesa Verde Fire Management Officer, at (970) 529-5062.
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Tags: prescribed fire
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service