RBC I The Blanco Ranger District of the White River National Forest plans to conduct slash pile burning in the Ute Creek and Trappers Lake area in the coming days.
These sites are approximately 27 and 38 miles east of Meeker on National Forest lands near and adjoining private lands in Rio Blanco and Garfield Counties.
Officials anticipate that this burning may take up to two days to accomplish. This work is a continuation of the Blanco Summer Homes beetle kill slash removal and cleanup after the Trappers Lake wildland fire of 2002.
Ideal conditions require adequate ventilation or light winds for smoke dispersion and some permanent snow on the ground to keep fire contained to the piles. Smoke from burning may be visible from Rio Blanco County roads 8, 12 and 119 as well as Forest Road 205.
Most of the smoke will dissipate during the day; however some night time smoke may remain in valley bottoms and drainages. This is only expected to be a short-term occurrence.
Prescribed fire smoke may affect your health. For more information, please visit: www.colorado.gov/ pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health.
For more information, contact the Blanco Ranger District office at 970-878-4039.
