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October 4, 2001 This week, the Dolores Public Lands Center will complete a prescribed fire northwest of Dolores that was begun in the spring. The project is part of the National Fire Plan underway across the nation to make public and private lands safer from wildfire by reducing natural fuels buildup. About 500 acres along the Dolores-Norwood Road six miles northwest of Dolores will be burned for 2-3 days, starting as early as Thursday, depending upon weather conditions. Daytime smoke is expected to disperse, but overnight smoke may settle into Bean Canyon. Overnight smoke along the Dolores-Norwood Road will be monitored for visibility impacts, but no road closures are expected. The prescribed fire will be set and monitored by trained firefighters using methods designed to keep flames at low intensity and close to the ground to burn oakbrush, other undergrowth and ground debris. The fire will also serve to thin smaller ponderosa trees, but leave larger trees alive. Existing roads and control lines will be used to confine the prescribed fire to the planned area. Ponderosa pine forests historically burned naturally every 10-30 years. Suppression of fire over the past century, however, has contributed to an unnatural build-up of woody debris on the forest floor, an increased density of trees, and thick stands of underbrush. Prescribed burning is used to: • reduce the buildup of these fuels to a more normal level, • improve the health of ponderosa pine stands by reducing competition from oak brush, • improve deer and elk habitat by opening up the forest canopy to allow more sunlight to reach the ground and stimulate the growth of grasses and forbs, and release natural minerals and nutrients into the soil. Additional information is available by calling the Dolores Public Lands Center at 970 882-7296. |
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Copyright © 2001 the Cortez
Journal. All rights reserved. |
