United States Department of Agriculture

Pile Burns planned for Columbine Ranger District

Durango, CO., November 27, 2019 - The San Juan National Forest Columbine Ranger District plans to burn slash piles beginning in early December. These piles were generated from forest thinning projects to improve forest health, resiliency, and mitigate wildfire risk. Although burning could continue through April, these activities should not affect public access or use of the forest. Operations typically take place after snowfall and firefighters will ignite and closely monitor pile-burning activities.  

The slash piles are located in the Rockwood area north of Hermosa; smoke may be visible from Highway 550. Additional piles are between the Enchanted Forest and Tween Lakes subdivisions on the north side of CR 240; smoke may be visible in those subdivisions and along CR 240.

Prescribed fire smoke may affect your health. For more information, please go to: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health

For additional information on Columbine Ranger District area pile burns, please contact the Columbine Ranger District office at (970) 884-1425.

For information on prescribed burns, wildfires and fire restrictions on the San Juan National Forest, call 970 247- 4874, or visit the Forest Website at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/sanjuan/ and follow us on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/SanJuanNF

Forest Service

News ReleaseMedia Contact: Esther Godson Email: esther.godson@usda.gov Telephone: 970-385-1219

Forest ServiceSan Juan National Forest15 Burnett Court Durango, CO 81301(970)247-4874http://www.fs.usda.gov/sanjuan/

@SanJuanNF

United States Department of Agriculture

###USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Forest Service