FAIRPLAY, Colo., Sep 18, 2008 - The U.S. Forest Service - South Park Ranger District is preparing for controlled burning of up to 1,500 acres this fall. The areas are south-southwest of Lake George and south of Elevenmile Canyon in Park County in the vicinity of previous burns. Burning could begin in early October and continue to mid-November.

Fire managers will only begin ignition when several factors are set. Weather and fuel conditions need to support a low to moderate burn, minimal smoke impacts to surrounding communities, and burn plan conditions have been met. If burning begins, it may last for several days with smoke visible from Highway 24 and other areas. Residents should also expect smoke several days after ignitions are completed.

Vegetation types are mostly ponderosa pine, grass and shrubs. Burning will generally be of low intensity, and is designed to reduce the amount of timber needles, duff and small diameter woody debris. This project will also improve soil nutrients and resprout grass and shrubs for wildlife. In limited areas, the fire could thin smaller diameter conifers.

These prescribed burns are part of the ongoing Sledgehammer Ecosystem Management Project, a multi-year undertaking. The goal is to restore open conifer stands, increase the amount of grass, shrubs and aspen, and reduce dead fuel on the forest floor. Since the turn of the century, fire suppression has led to overstocking of pine and Douglas-fir and a reduction of plant diversity. This has adversely impacted wildlife and increased the number of large, highly destructive wildfires.

These fuels treatments ara a viable way to restore forest health and reduce the wildfire threat to land and homeowners.