The U.S. Forest Service will burn about 5,000 to 7,000 acres of the Pawnee National Grassland beginning today in an effort to improve mountain plover nesting habitat and reintroduce fire into the short-grass prairie ecosystem.
The Forest Service said the prescribed burn could continue for several weeks and that smoke from the fires would be visible from Colorado 14 and in New Raymer and other small communities near the scenic area in northeast Colorado.
In February 2006, U.S. Sen. Wayne Allard of Loveland protested plans for the prescribed burn in the grassland, saying conditions were too dry.
But the past two winters have been wet.
The U.S. Forest Service stressed that the burn would take place only if conditions are favorable. These conditions include moisture in vegetation, weather, smoke dispersal and staffing.
Reghan Cloudman, a spokesperson for the Forest Service, said a minimum of 16 to 22 firefighters are expected to work the burn, including three to six engines.
The crews will monitor the burn area until all fires are out.
The Forest Service said all prescribed fires on the Pawnee National Grassland will be announced on the recorded incident-information lines at 970-498-1030 or 870-498-1031.
If anyone in the area has smoke allergies and would like to receive daily notifications about the burns, they are urged to contact Tammy Williams at 970-295-6693.
Most of the 12 burn areas, all north of Colorado 14, are 45 to 60 minutes from Greeley and Fort Collins.
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com
