Blue Ridge Update: Monday 10.12.23

GRANBY, Colo. (Oct. 12, 2023) – Due to current snowy conditions, a pause has been placed on our Blue Ridge prescribed burning operations. A total of 331 acres were accomplished over the course of this week.

Fire managers anticipated the incoming precipitation and planned for it in our prescribed burning efforts, particularly in the mop-up phase. Mop-up work is a vital part of our mission, and it's generally a risky endeavor without moisture. It involves securing the fire's perimeter and extinguishing any remaining hotspots. But the snowy conditions from last night and today have transformed this task, making it safer and more efficient. We are thankful for the support from our community and partners during this process.

The area closure between Big Meadows (253) and Beaver Creek (133) roads will be lifted at noon on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023.

This prescribed burn is part of the overall strategy on the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests to confront the Wildfire Crisis. Prescribed fire is one of the most efficient ways of reducing wildfire risk. Regularly conducting prescribed fires reduces the buildup of flammable vegetation and overgrowth.

To receive updates throughout the day, follow U.S. Forest Service-Arapaho & Roosevelt Natl Forests Pawnee Natl Grassland on Facebook and X. Additional information about this project may be found on Inciweb.

Overview: The Blue Ridge Prescribed Burn is located south of Hot Sulphur Springs and southwest of Granby near Cottonwood Pass. It's part of an area that hasn't burned in Grand County's recent wildfires and it contains a lot of dead and down trees. Fire plays an important role in a healthy forest ecosystem, helping clean up this dead material while restoring native species and diverse wildlife habitat. Fire managers in Colorado use prescribed fire under the right conditions as a tool to address the #wildfirecrisis. Learn more about the project: https://ow.ly/MGQr50PUHjm