“WASHINGTON – Congress considered legislation Tuesday that seeks to avoid a repeat of the disastrous 2017 wildfire season that ravaged Colorado, California and other western states. A bill discussed during a U.S. House hearing would require the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to focus more on prevention of wildfires rather than emergency responses. ‘There is…
Recently published in the Pagosa Sun Southwest Colorado and Northern New Mexico offer an expanse of recreational opportunities and beautiful vistas. We are drawn to this area because of the mountains, the forests, and the rivers. But, like everywhere else, living in these wild places comes with challenges presented by the natural environment, and wildfire…
PAGOSA SPRINGS, Colorado – January 24, 2018 – The Pagosa Ranger District is planning to burn approximately 400 slash pile in the Turkey Springs area northwest of Pagosa Springs, CO beginning Thursday, January 25, 2018. The piles consist of slash thinned from hazardous fuels-reduction projects. This is part of a larger project involving prescribed fire,…
News Release DURANGO, Colorado – December 13, 2017 – San Juan National Forest fire officials are warning that continued dry conditions in Southwestern Colorado mean that fire danger is a concern. In late November, a man target shooting with incendiary ammunition on private property adjacent to National Forest lands started a fire north of Durango…
PAGOSA SPRINGS, Colorado – OCTOBER 26, 2017 – The Pagosa Ranger District plans to burn approximately 400 slash piles once the snow starts throughout the end of the year in the Turkey Springs area northwest of Pagosa Springs. Piles to be burned consist of slash thinned from hazardous fuels reduction projects. This effort is part…
The USFS is proposing to burn 400 acres in Brockover Mesa between October 17 and 19 if weather allows. Information will be made available on https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/sanjuan/alerts-notices.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DOLORES, Colorado – Sept. 11, 2017 – The Draw Fire, which was started by lightning last week, is now estimated at 1,005 acres. The fire is burning within containment lines eight miles in the San Juan National Forest northeast of Dolores. “If weather conditions allow, burnout operations may be completed today for…
DOLORES, Colorado – Sept. 9, 2017 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Operations went smoothly today on the Draw Fire burning in ponderosa pine forests within containment lines eight miles northeast of Dolores in the San Juan National Forest. The fire was started by lightning earlier this week. Burnout operations are being implemented to keep its growth…
Durango, Colorado – September 9, 2017 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: The small lightning-caused fire located three miles southwest of Henderson Lake in the Bear Creek drainage on Missionary Ridge is at 1.25 acres. The area received light rain today, which moderated burning conditions, with minimal fire activity noted by the crew onsite. Firefighters will continue…
BAYFIELD, Colorado – August 16, 2017 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Firefighters worked until after dark last evening conducting firing operations and monitoring the progress of the 842 Fire. After several days of preparation, everything came together nicely and the goal of safely burning out this final area was met. The 842 Fire has increased to…