VALLEY – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be conducting prescribed burns this spring on the Alamosa and Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuges to remove old, matted vegetation to improve wildlife habitat. The burns will be conducted by professional fire personnel from the San Luis Valley Interagency Fire Management Unit.  The exact burn dates will depend on weather conditions and other prescription requirements. Target dates start in March but may extend through April 15.

Smoke will be visible to adjacent neighbors, towns and highways during and for a few days following burning operations. Signs will be posted along the nearest major roads and all burns will be monitored until they are declared completely out. 

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

 For up-to-date information, Like Us on our San Luis Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/SanLuisValleyRefugeComplex or contact Alamosa and Monte Vista Refuge Manager Suzanne Beauchaine (719) 589-4021x 1003. 

  The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. Visit http://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/. Connect with our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/USFWSMountainPrairie, follow our tweets at http://twitter.com/USFWSMtnPrairie, watch our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwsmtnprairie/.