San Juan National Forest plans fall prescribed fires

Durango, Colo., Sept. 9, 2025— USDA San Juan National Forest is planning prescribed fire operations this fall, pending all required approvals. Burning operations may take place over multiple days, but are always dependent upon multiple conditions, including personnel availability, fuel conditions, weather and approval from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Objectives of the burns include reduction of hazardous fuels, improving forage conditions for wildlife species, and reducing the risk of wildfire impacts to communities.

The following prescribed fire projects are planned and prepared for implementation if and when favorable conditions allow:

Pagosa Ranger District: Recent rainfall on some parts of the Pagosa Ranger District has exceeded two inches, and additional moisture is expected. The district anticipates beginning with the Brockover-Devil Prescribed Fire as early as September 15, pending all required approvals.

Brockover-Devil Prescribed Fire: This 2,450-acre unit is located in the Turkey Springs area, 8 miles northwest of Pagosa Springs and approximately ½ mile from the Hatcher Subdivision, immediately adjacent to NFSR roads 629 (Turkey Springs), 919 (Brockover) and 923 (Newt Jack Road). During operations smoke may be visible from Pagosa Springs, PLPOA, County Rd 600 between Highway 160 and Piedra River Trailhead, and Highway 160 between Timberline Ridge and downtown Pagosa Springs. No official closures are expected but there will be traffic control in the following locations during burn operations:

• NFSR 629, 919 and 923. Forest users should avoid National Forest System Trails 301, 303, 305, 313, 316, 319 and portions of 304 and 323 during burn operations. 

8 Mile Mesa Prescribed Fire: This project is located 6.5 miles south of Pagosa Springs between Loma Linda and Lower Blanco. The 700-acre project area is broken into multiple units located along NFSR road 651, 651.B, 651.C, 651.D, 651.D1, and 651.E. During operations smoke may be visible from Pagosa Springs, Chromo, Hwy 84 between Echo Canyon Reservoir and Kenny Flats, County RD 335, and County RD 500 between Pagosa Junction and Pagosa Springs. No official closures are expected but there will be traffic control in the following locations during burn operations: 

• 651 road system below switchbacks through the 651.E junction.

For more information, please contact Pagosa Ranger District Fuels Specialist Brian Austin at brian.austin@usda.gov. or by phone at (970) 264-1541. 

Columbine Ranger District: Later this fall, the Columbine Ranger District is planning to implement three prescribed fire projects. Operations may begin as soon as September and may continue into November, depending on weather conditions and the availability of fire personnel and other resources. 

Northern HDs Prescribed Fire: This project will include multiple units totaling 3,383 acres. The project is located in Saul’s Creek, east of Bayfield and south of Highway 160. Fire managers will implement this prescribed fire over multiple days.

Vallecito-Piedra Prescribed Fire: This project consists of two units totaling 1,863 acres. The project is located in the Beaver Meadows area, north of Highway 160 northeast of Bayfield.

Southern HDs Prescribed Fire: This 1,605-acre project consists of two units. It is located in the Fosset Gulch area, west of Chimney Rock National Monument. 

Daytime smoke is expected to travel to the north/northeast. Nighttime smoke is expected to travel downslope into the Piedra and Pine River drainages. Smoke will be heavier in the mornings that follow burning operations, although it will clear by midday. Smoke will be visible from Arboles, Bayfield, Pagosa Springs, as well as the U.S. Highway 160 and 151 corridors near those towns.

For more information, please contact District Assistant Fire Management Officer (fuels) Noah Daniels at noah.daniels@usda.gov. 

Dolores Ranger District: Dolores Ranger District is planning to conduct several prescribed burns starting as early as mid-September. 

Salter/Carlyle Prescribed Fire: This 1,660-acre unit is located 15 miles east of Cahone, near Salter Y along NFSR 510. No official closures are expected.

Boggy Draw Prescribed Fire: This 1,577-acre unit is located five miles northeast of Dolores, along NFSR 527. Official closures are expected and will be announced prior to implementation.

During burning operations, smoke may be visible around Mancos, Dolores, Dove Creek, Cortez, and Highway 491 between Dove Creek and Pleasant View. Smoke may settle into low-lying valleys and the Dolores River Canyon overnight.

For more information, please contact Fire Management Officer Caleb Schutz by email at Caleb.Schutz@usda.gov or by phone at (970) 882-6844.   

Residents may experience smoke during the prescribed burns. Learn how smoke from prescribed fire may affect your health by visiting the Colorado Department of Public Health website. When driving, slow down and turn on your headlights when you encounter smoke on the road.

We will evaluate weather conditions in the hours before a burn begins. If conditions warrant, scheduled prescribed fire activities may be canceled.

Maps of the prescribed burn units and additional San Juan National Forest prescribed fire program news can be found on Inciweb. For information about the San Juan National Forest, call (970) 247-4874, visit the forest website, or follow us on social media (X and Facebook).

About the Forest Service: The USDA Forest Service has for more than 100 years brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology– and rooted in communities–the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.

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