Log In


Reset Password
News Education Local News Nation & World New Mexico

Sauls Creek burn to start today

The San Juan National Forest plans to start a controlled burn today on about 1,100 acres in the Sauls Creek area east of Bayfield.  No more than 250 to 450 acres will be burned each day to reduce smoke coming from the fire.

 The burn originally was announced Labor Day weekend for anytime through the middle of September. Tuesday's rain created good conditions for the burn, said Ann Bond, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Forest Service. The Southwest Colorado Cross Country Challenge, the Bayfield High School cross country running meet for the season, is set to take place Saturday morning, but the burn will be in a different area of the forest that day, Bond said.

The prescribed fire will be set and monitored by trained firefighters to keep flames low and close to the ground.  The fire is supposed to burn undergrowth and ground debris, but leave larger trees alive.  Sauls Creek Road (FDR 608A) will be closed at different points as burn operations progress.  In addition, some areas will be closed as the fires are started. Burned areas will not open to recreation until declared safe, and visitors are encouraged to be careful going through post-burn areas.

For more information, contact the Columbine Ranger District at 884-2512.