DOLORES, Nov. 8, 416 p.m. – Weather permitting, fire managers from the Dolores Public Lands Office plan to conduct a prescribed burn today, Friday, Nov 9. About 200 acres of ponderosa pine with a gambel oak understory and sporadic pockets of aspen will be burned. The burn will occur in an area known as Trimble Point, located about 10 miles north of Dolores, and adjacent to an area that underwent a prescribed burn earlier this year.

The objectives of the burn are to: reduce hazardous fuel loads, reintroduce fire into a fire-adapted ecological system, improve wildlife habitat, and help stimulate aspen regeneration.

“Ignition of the unit will be completed in one day, with fire crews monitoring and patrolling the unit afterwards until the fire is out,” said Kevin Joseph, fire management officer for the Dolores Public Lands Office.

About 30 personnel from across the San Juan Public Lands will be involved.

Hand-held drip torches will be used to ignite the burn. Four to five engines will be on scene to support the ground crews and patrol the fire line. Smoke should be visible from most areas of the county.

For additional information about the burn, call Eric La Price, fire information officer for the Dolores Public Lands Office at 882-6827.