SPRINGFIELD, Colo., March 7, 2023— As part of the ongoing hazardous fuels reduction project, the Comanche National Grassland will conduct prescribed burns in Southeast Colorado beginning in March and continuing through mid-April, conditions permitting.

The locations of the prescribed fires on range allotments are in the following areas:

For both firefighter and public safety, grassland visitors can expect recurring closures to affected areas during fire and monitoring operations. 

To facilitate burning, each of the selected areas have been prepared in advance to ensure safe fire operations. These prescribed burns will help reduce grass fuel that poses a threat to farmland, ranchland, and other values such as structures, fence lines and equipment.

Ignitions will occur only when weather and fuel conditions meet prescriptive parameters and when smoke impacts can be managed within established requirements.  Ignition and burning operations may continue for several days depending on the size of the area being burned. Fire personnel will monitor the burns until the fires are completely out.

Smoke is a natural byproduct of fire and some amounts are unavoidable. However, fire managers and prescribed fire specialists look carefully at the proximity of communities and determine the least amount of smoke impact to the public during prescribed burning. Once burning begins, expect smoke to be visible from towns throughout Southeast Colorado. Smoke may also linger over the burn areas for a few days following initial ignitions. For more information on smoke and health, please visit:  https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health.

Follow @PSICC_NF on Twitter for up-to-date information on this and other topics. Use #ComancheRD for information on the Comanche Ranger District prescribed fire program. For more fire resources, please visit our website.