Mesa Verde to Conduct Prescribed Fire Between February and March

Date: February 6, 2017
Contact: Cristy Brown, 970-529-4608
Contact: Keith Krause, 970-529-5062

Mesa Verde National Park is planning to implement a prescribed fire between February 13 and March 13, weather permitting. The Chapin Mesa area prescribed fire is being conducted to dispose of material created during fuel reduction projects from last summer. Due to significant snow fall in January, the previous burn plan was cancelled. 

The prescribed burn is one acre in size and fuels are primarily comprised of gamble oak, piñon and juniper. Burning at this time of year should produce low intensity fire behavior while still achieving desired fuel reduction goals. Ignition operations should take one day, but the unit may produce smoke for several days afterwards. Visitors to Mesa Verde may see smoke in the southwestern part of the park during these activities.

Prescribed fire smoke may affect your health. For more information see: www.colorado.gov/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health.

For more information contact Keith Krause, Mesa Verde Assistant Fire Management Officer, at [phone].

 

-NPS-