BLM Plans Pile Burns to Reduce Hazardous Fuels GUNNISON, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management’s Gunnison Field Office plans to begin burning slash piles for two hazardous fuels reduction projects as early as Wednesday, Nov. 19, or as conditions allow. Both project sites are located on BLM-managed lands southwest of Powderhorn, Colo. Pile burning at the Indian Creek project site, located four miles west of Powderhorn, consists of 15 piles on five acres. The Indian Creek project is expected to last no more than two days once initiated. The Crystal Creek pile burning, located seven miles south of Powderhorn, consists of 100 piles on 25 acres. Pile burning for the Crystal Creek project is expected to last no more than three days once initiated. An environmental analysis and detailed burn plan outline the parameters for burning piles. “The burn plan contains specific criteria regarding weather conditions and air quality that must be met to help ensure control of the burn as well as to minimize the potential smoke impacts to local communities,” said Mike Davis, BLM Fire Management Officer. “Fire crews will monitor burn piles following ignition to ensure public safety.” The BLM has obtained a Smoke Permit which identifies atmospheric conditions under which the burn can be implemented from the Colorado State Air Pollution Control Division for these projects. While smoke may be visible in each area at times during the pile burning, most of the smoke will lift and dissipate during the warmest part of the day. Some smoke may linger over the area and in drainages as temperatures drop during the evening. “Pile burns are generally conducted during the winter and spring; when there is sufficient snow on the ground to ensure conditions are safe to conduct the burn,” said Chris Barth, BLM Southwest District Fire Mitigation Specialist. “Prescribed fires – including pile burns – help to reduce wildfire risk to communities, help restore and maintain ecosystem health, and achieve specific resource objectives such as habitat improvement and fuels reduction.”
Posted on: Mon, 17 Nov 2014 23:01:38 +0000
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