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SMOKE WARNING: Piedra Burn Starting Today |
Phyllis Wheaton | 5/5/08
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The Pagosa Ranger District confirmed this morning that the scheduled prescribed burn in the Upper Piedra will start today, Monday, May 5 and continue through tomorrow, May 6. Approximately 1000 acres will be burned each day. The burn location is approximately 19 miles northwest of Pagosa Springs.
Because of the springs conditions and the large area scheduled for burning, residents of Pagosa Springs can expect to see large amounts of smoke Monday and Tuesday. Also, because the fire will be ignited and monitored by helicopter, residents will see helicopter traffic in the area. Residents should not be overly concerned about the presence of smoke and helicopters on Monday and Tuesday. Continued...
The 2,200 acre prescribed burn will occur within the Piedra Area shown above. (Area shown is much larger than actual burn area.) Map by Post Staff. |
Here is the Ranger District press release from Friday, May 2:
 The Pagosa District will conduct a prescribed burn in the Piedra Area, if conditions are acceptable, on May 5 and 6. The burn unit is 2,200 acres in size and is located between Davis Creek on the east, First Fork and Piedra River to the south, and Coldwater Creek on the west. Snows upslope in wetter forest types will border the burn area to the north. The location is roughly eighteen miles northwest of Pagosa Springs. About 19 miles MW of Pagosa Springs
The burn units in the Piedra Area are in a remote location on the north side of the Piedra River between the First Fork and Davis Creek. The Piedra Area was designated by congress as an area to be managed to retain its wilderness conditions. Motorized and mechanized forms of transportation are not permitted within the area. Located far from roads and on steep terrain, the units will be ignited by fire managers using plastic sphere devices (PSD) dropped from a helicopter. This method of ignition reduces exposure of firefighters to injuries that occur when working in steep slopes and remote areas and readily ignites fine fuels such as pine needles, leaf litter, and dead grasses. Under the conditions fire managers seek, the method provides a mosaic burn.
For public safety, closures to trails, river boating and areas will occur during and after the burn period.
The Piedra River Trail (#596) and the area it accesses will be closed to entry between the trailhead at First Fork and the junction with the Sand Creek Trail. (See map). The temporary closure will begin on the day of the burn and may continue for two weeks or more.
The Piedra River will be closed to any boating during the actual burning operations which will last two to five days. Signs will be posted at the Upper Piedra Trailhead and boat put-in. The First Fork Road (#622) is currently closed at Sheep Creek/Monument Park Road West due to the condition of the road.
You may call the Pagosa Public Lands office of the San Juan Public Lands at 970-264-2268 to receive updates on the status of the Piedra Burn and entry closures. A recording regarding the status of the burn and associated closures will be available at that number after hours and on weekends. |
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