San Juan National Forest Begins Fall Prescribed Fires

Every factual claim below was checked against the original public record. Source: original document ↗

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  San Juan National Forest has begun prescribed fire operations“null”
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  Prescribed fire operations in San Juan National Forest started mid-September“null”
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  The fall program includes multiple projects across Columbine Ranger District“Columbine Ranger District:Beginning as early as mid-September, the Columbine Ranger District will begin the following prescribed fire projects. Smoke will be visible from Arboles, Bayfield, Pagosa Springs, as well as the U.S. 160 and CO 151 corridors near those towns.”
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  The fall program includes multiple projects across Pagosa Ranger District“Pagosa Ranger District:Beginning in mid-September, the Pagosa Ranger District plans to implement multiple prescribed fire projects in Archuleta County. Smoke will be visible from U.S. 160, U.S. 84, County Road 600, downtown, Pagosa Lakes, Loma Linda, Rio Blanco, Alpine Lakes Ranch and Chromo Areas.”
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  The fall program includes multiple projects across Dolores Ranger District“null”
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  The fall program totals approximately 7,000 acres“null”
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  Smoke will be visible from Arboles“Smoke will be visible from Arboles, Bayfield, Pagosa Springs, as well as the U.S. 160 and CO 151 corridors near those towns.”
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  Smoke will be visible from Bayfield“Smoke will be visible from Arboles, Bayfield, Pagosa Springs, as well as the U.S. 160 and CO 151 corridors near those towns.”
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  Smoke will be visible from Pagosa Springs“Smoke will be visible from U.S. 160, U.S. 84, County Road 600, downtown, Pagosa Lakes, Loma Linda, Rio Blanco, Alpine Lakes Ranch and Chromo Areas.”
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  Smoke will be visible from surrounding areas“Smoke will be visible from Arboles, Bayfield, Pagosa Springs, as well as the U.S. 160 and CO 151 corridors near those towns.”
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  Daytime smoke from the burns will travel north/northeast“Daytime smoke is expected to travel to the north/northeast.”
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  Nighttime smoke from the burns will move downslope into Piedra drainage“Nighttime smoke is expected to travel downslope into the Piedra and Pine River drainages.”
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  Nighttime smoke from the burns will move downslope into Pine River drainage“Nighttime smoke is expected to travel downslope into the Piedra and Pine River drainages.”
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  The Forest Service states these burns reduce hazardous fuels“Prescribed fire replicates that fire regime and increases the area on our landscape that has been burned at low and moderate conditions. These efforts reduce hazardous ground fuels, lessen the risk of unplanned large-scale wildfire, help restore ponderosa pine ecosystems, and improve wildlife habitat.”
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  The Forest Service states these burns improve ecosystem health“Prescribed fire replicates that fire regime and increases the area on our landscape that has been burned at low and moderate conditions. These efforts reduce hazardous ground fuels, lessen the risk of unplanned large-scale wildfire, help restore ponderosa pine ecosystems, and improve wildlife habitat.”
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  Work on prescribed fire operations is expected to continue through the fall“We estimate this work to continue through the fall as weather conditions allow.”
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  Work on prescribed fire operations will continue as conditions allow“We estimate this work to continue through the fall as weather conditions allow.”