Prescribed burning operations taking place in La Plata County

The Saul's Creek Prescribed Burn is being conducted by the San Juan National Forest in eastern La Plata County.  Smoke from this operation may be visible from Bayfield and surrounding areas, including along Highway 160 in eastern La Plata County.

Map showing the location of the Saul's Creek Prescribed burn, east of Bayfield, CO in La Plata County.

While public health impacts are expected to remain minimal, keeping doors and windows closed in buildings, and using the recirculate setting in your vehicle if travelling through this area will help to reduce the amount of smoke in these settings.

If smoke is present in your location, taking measures to protect your health is recommended; particularly if you are sensitive to smoke (fine particulate matter). More information about this operation and reducing health impacts can be found using the tabs above.

Areas of smoke possible in southern El Paso County

The Hammer Fire is located in southern El Paso County, southeast of Fountain, CO; east of I-25. Winds near the fire will mainly come from the west or southwest on Wednesday night, pushing smoke to the east or northeast of the fire, affecting mainly rural portions of El Paso County. Breezy winds will also help to disperse smoke in areas in the immediate vicinity of the fire.

Map of the location of the Hammer Fire, southeast of Fountain Colorado. Image courtesy of WatchDuty.

Smoke may be visible at times in areas of southern El Paso County on Wednesday evening and Thursday morning, including along I-25 to the east of Fort Carson. If smoke is present in your location, take measures to protect your health from exposure to wildfire smoke.

Monday morning smoke across southwestern Colorado

 

EPA's Fire and Smoke Map show elevated smoke levels in southwestern Colorado

Smoke has settled across sections of southwestern Colorado from yesterday's Boggy Draw prescribed fire which is located a few miles northeast of Dolores (near the "T" on the above map).  EPA's Fire and Smoke Map above shows elevated levels of fine particulate matter at various air quality monitors across southwestern Colorado. These levels should come down by this afternoon as mixing of the atmosphere improves. In the meantime, you may want to slow it down while you are outdoors.

The San Juan National Forest plans on burning an additional 344 acres today (about 1/4 of what was burned yesterday). So expect smoke to be visible around the area with downwind impacts again possible this afternoon in Rico and Silverton. 

Downwind smoke from Boggy Draw prescribed fire

 The large plume of smoke from the Boggy Draw prescribed fire, located just northeast of Dolores, is moving from southwest to northeast.  This is creating some downwind smoke impacts, including in the town of Rico on Highway 145 in Dolores County.  If you reside in Rico, remaining indoors with the windows closed is recommended through tomorrow morning.  We may also see some of this smoke reach other areas further  to the northeast, including Silverton, Ophir, Ames and perhaps even Telluride. 

Please remember that as we move through the overnight hours and into Monday morning, we are expecting some smoke to push down towards the community of Dolores. Moderate to heavy smoke may be present when the sun rises Monday morning, so please take steps to protect your health. 

Boggy Draw prescribed fire confirmed for Sunday

 The San Juan National Forest have confirmed that they intend to burn approximately 1200 acres on Sunday (see yesterday's blog post below for a map and additional information).  If you have outdoor plans on Sunday in places like McPhee Reservoir or up along Highway 145 east of Dolores, do not be alarmed if you see a large plume of smoke Sunday afternoon.

Although health impacts from the smoke are not anticipated on Sunday, there could be some moderate to heavy smoke moving down Italian Canyon to Highway 145 and possibly into Dolores late Sunday night and early Monday morning.  If you reside in Dolores, you will probably want to close your windows before heading off to bed Sunday night. Also, you may want to delay any outdoor activities or exercise planned for Monday morning as smoke could linger until noon.  Better air quality can be expected by Monday afternoon.

Possible prescribed burning near Dolores this weekend

The San Juan National Forest may conduct a prescribed burn beginning Sunday, April 19, at the Boggy Draw site. 

As this operation is underway, smoke may be visible nearby, including along Highway 145. Overnight, smoke may drain into the canyon along Highway 145 and reach Dolores.

The site is located in Montezuma County, roughly 4 miles northeast of Dolores.

Check EPA's Fire and Smoke Map for real-time air quality sensor data in the area. For more information on the health impacts of wood smoke, visit CDPHE's Wood Smoke and Health page. For more information on prescribed burning in the San Juan National Forest, visit their website.