BLM plans prescribed fire treatments south of Grand Junction
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Fire managers with the Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit plan to conduct a prescribed fire treatment Sept. 30-Oct. 19 about 18 miles south of Grand Junction.
If conditions are favorable, firefighters will treat 19 acres of public land in the Farmers Canyon area of the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area.
“Before we make ignitions, we will monitor weather forecasts and fuel conditions closely. We will only move forward if conditions are ideal for a safe, effective treatment,” said Tommy Hayes, BLM Upper Colorado River District Fire Management Officer. “We will have firefighters onsite throughout the first day to monitor fire behavior and will continue to patrol the area for several days after.”
The fire treatment will primarily target ponderosa pine needles to lower the risk of large wildfires and stimulate new vegetation growth to benefit wildlife.
Smoke from the prescribed fire may be visible from Grand Junction, Highway 50, and Delta.
Fire managers have developed a detailed prescribed fire plan and obtained smoke permits from the State of Colorado for this burn. Prescribed fire smoke may affect your health; visit the Colorado Air Pollution Control Division’s website.
For general information, contact Jeremy Spetter, UCR Fuels Program Manager via email at jspetter@blm.gov, or via phone at 970-244-3000.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.