Prescribed burns planned

MONTE VISTA – The San Luis Valley Interagency Fire Management Unit plans to conduct two prescribed burns this spring on the Rio Grande National Forest.

The first prescribed burn is scheduled to take place in March in English Valley on the Divide Ranger District five miles north of Del Norte. The purpose of this 2,000-acre treatment is to rejuvenate grass and shrub cover to improve pronghorn habitat.

The second prescribed burn is planned for April in the Bighorn-Stateline area on the Conejos Peak Ranger District seven miles southwest of Mogote. The purpose of this 1000-acre burn is to remove woody debris from thinning operations in ponderosa pine forest and improve forage for deer and elk.

Residents and visitors will likely see smoke coming from these area for several hours each day during burn operations. Burn area maps will be posted on the roads leading into the project areas and local residents will be contacted prior to initiation of the prescribed burns. 

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

For more information concerning the planned prescribed burns, contact the Rio Grande National Forest Supervisor’s Office at 719-852-5941.