The Canyon Lakes Ranger District of the Roosevelt National Forest is making final preparations to conduct the Pingree Hill Prescribed Burn if conditions remain favorable. Burning is expected to begin Oct. 8. The Kelly Flats Road (Forest Road 168) will be closed from Oct. 7 through Oct. 10 for the prescribed burn.
The burn is located north of Highway 14 east of Rustic and the entire project is 2,027 acres. Depending on conditions, some or all of these acres could be burned this year. In ideal conditions, as many as 350 acres could be burned in one day. The goal of the burn is to reduce hazardous fuels and improve forest health and wildlife habitat.
Conditions must be met before ignition of this burn can take place. This includes a favorable weather forecast, fuel moisture, smoke dispersal and staffing. Weather is monitored throughout the burn and burning will be halted if conditions fall outside of the required conditions. A minimum of 25 firefighters will staff this burn, including two engines. Work has already taken place within this project area to help ensure the burn stays within its identified perimeter, including over seven miles of line construction and mechanical fuels reduction.
The Forest Service notifies local cooperators, including Larimer County Emergency Services and local fire departments, about these activities before and throughout implementation.
To check the latest information on when this burn will occur, check our recorded incident information line at 970-498-1030 or follow us on Twitter @usfsclrd.
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