Friday, Apr 14, 2006
Slash Pile Burning at Colorado National Monument
Colorado National Monument is providing public notice that it will be conducting prescribed fire activities during mid-April to mid-May. Exact dates are unavailable as the fires will be initiated only when conditions are within prescribed weather and fuels parameters. These fires are intended to dispose of slash piles that were created as part of fuel reduction projects within the monument. The projects include: three areas in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) adjacent to the monument?s east boundary, the Saddlehorn administrative area and at the west (Fruita) entrance to the monument.
The fuel reduction projects were conducted in the fall of 2005 to help protect private property and public infrastructure that could be threatened by wildfires. The projects are consistent with the National Fire Plan and the Interagency Fire Management Plan approved by Colorado National Monument and the Bureau of Land Management Grand Junction Field Office in 2005. Private property owners that are interested in taking actions on their property to enhance these fuel reduction projects are encouraged to participate in the Firewise program. Firewise information can be obtained by contacting the Colorado State Forest Service at 970-248-7325.
The slash pile burns will be conducted by personnel from the Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit that represents the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and the US Forest Service.
Burn plans have been developed, reviewed, approved and permitted in consultation with National Park Service and BLM fire managers, the Colorado Air Pollution Control Division and Mesa County Department of Health. The plans are available for public review by contacting Colorado National Monument at 970-858-3617, extension 363.
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