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Cleansing burns recommended in area

County officials working with Forest Service to manage fires
The burn area from the Missionary Ridge Fire needs to burn again in order for it to be a healthy forest, said Matt Janowiak, Columbine District ranger. U.S. Forest Service officials talked with La Plata County commissioners on Tuesday about their plan to let some lightning-caused fires to burn, if they can be managed safely.

Some areas in the San Juan National Forest need fire to help clear out dense and dangerous areas, and forest officials are looking to let some lightning-sparked fires burn this summer.

U.S. Forest Service officials will be working with La Plata County to decide when to let natural fires burn safely, said Matt Janowiak, the Columbine District ranger.

“We do need to get some natural thinning,” he said.

Across Missionary Ridge, the Hermosa Creek area and other areas need to burn, Janowiak told the La Plata County commissioners in a meeting Tuesday.

He will be in constant communication with Butch Knowlton, La Plata County director of emergency preparedness, about each fire, he said.

Prescribed and managed fires can help prevent high-intensity fires that scorch the soil. Healthy fires should leave living trees and a mosaic of green patches.

But forest officials consider several factors before allowing a fire to burn, including the humidity, the fire’s proximity to homes and available firefighters.

The only prescribed burning the Forest Service was able to do this spring was near Pagosa Springs; another burning will be done in the fall.

The Forest Service will likely light some fires in the 14,000-acre area on the south side of U.S. Highway 160 between Bayfield and Pagosa this fall because parts of that area haven’t burned for almost 100 years.

In 2016, crews will likely continue thinning the trees in that area, potentially by logging and lighting more controlled burns.

Spruce bark beetles are also an issue officials want to address soon, said Kara Chadwick, San Juan National Forest supervisor.

This spring, the agency is planning public meetings to get feedback on how it should address the thousands of trees killed by spruce bark beetles.

In 2013 alone, the beetle invaded 53,000 acres – the biggest gain it has made in the forest in a single year.

Some of the most visible damage has been across Wolf Creek Pass and areas northeast and northwest of Vallecito Reservoir.

An upcoming meeting is planned for Vallecito residents.

mshinn@durangoherald.com



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