Prescribed burns are scheduled to begin mid-September in the Dolores Ranger District of the San Juan National Forest, according to a news release issued Tuesday by the U.S. Forest Service.
The burns will take place in two areas: the Salter/Carlyle unit, covering 1,660 acres about 15 miles east of Cahone along Forest Service Road 510, and the Boggy Draw unit, spanning 1,577 acres about 5 miles northeast of Dolores along Forest Service Road 527.
No road closures are expected for Salter/Carlyle, but closures are anticipated for Boggy Draw and will be announced closer to the start date.
“During burning operations, smoke may be visible around Mancos, Dolores, Dove Creek, Cortez, and Highway 491 between Dove Creek and Pleasant View,” the Forest Service said. “Smoke may settle into low-lying valleys and the Dolores River Canyon overnight.”
The burns aim to reduce hazardous fuels, improve forage for wildlife and lower wildfire risk to nearby communities.
Additional prescribed burns are planned in the Pagosa and Columbine Ranger Districts in September and possibly November.
Burns may last several days and depend on weather, staffing and approval from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
More information on the burns can be found on Inciweb through the San Juan National Forest Prescribed Fire Program page.
