County, Features

Sen. Gardner visits Piceance Basin

RBC Sheriff Anthony Mazzola (left) and BLM White River Field Office Manager Kent Walter (center) discuss the successful management of the Hunt Fire with Senator Cory Gardner (right).
CAITLIN WALKER PHOTO

RBC | U.S. Senator Cory Gardner made an appearance in remote western Colorado Monday afternoon for a tour of the natural soda plant and the Hunt Fire in the Piceance Basin. Time constraints prohibited Gardner from going all the way to the burn site, but he listened to BLM firefighters review the decision made to manage the Hunt Fire for natural resources.

“This was a success story,” said Kyle Arnold, BLM White River Field Office Assistant Field Manager. “Fire is not always bad on the the landscape.”

The Hunt Fire was ignited by lightning Sept. 5 in rugged terrain in a remote part of Rio Blanco County. Fire officials evaluated the location, conditions, and recommended “management for natural resources.”

The sole grazing permittee in the area told officials they, “had wanted that done for years.”

The fire has now burned 3700 acres and is 80% contained.

The decision to allow a wildland fire to burn is frequently questioned by the general public despite evidence that managed fires improve wildlife and grazing habitat and reduce the possibility of uncontrolled fires.

“We manage every single fire,” Arnold said. “Some we put out immediately, some we manage for resource benefit.”

Commissioner Gary Moyer, Sheriff Anthony Mazzola and BLM White River Field Office District Manager Kent Walter were among those present for the meeting with Gardner.

By NIKI TURNER | [email protected]

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Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
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