HomeMy WebLinkAbout20120620 United States Forest Pawnee 660"O"Street
USDADepartment of Service National Grassland Greeley,CO 80631
Agriculture Voice: (970)346-5000 TDD: (970)346-5015
WELD COUNTY Web: www.fs.usda.gov/arp
COMMISSIONERS Fax: (970)346-5014
2011 FEB 29 A Ia: 03 File Code: 5140
Date: February 27, 2012
RECEIVED
Dear Interested Party,
As you may be aware, the Pawnee National Grassland (PNG) is making preparations to conduct
our annual prescribed burn. This includes completing the Prescribed Fire Burn Plan, obtaining
smoke permits from the State,preparing burn equipment and personnel, and establishing control
lines around the burn unit. We are also monitoring weather and soil moisture conditions. We
expect burning could take place as soon as the week of March 4, although mid-March is more
likely.
If you would like to be contacted when conditions become favorable and we decide to conduct
the burn on the PNG this spring, please call us at 970-346-5000 or drop by our office to get on
our contact list. We can also provide email updates. It is our desire to be good neighbors, so we
are sending this letter to help inform you of our plans and let you know what to expect if
conditions allow us to burn.
This year, fire crews plan to burn approximately 600 acres, less than 0.2% of the total PNG
acreage, in an effort to reduce broom snakeweed and improve rangeland condition, as well as
improve mountain plover habitat.
Forest Service Prescribed Burning Requirements
In an effort to implement prescribed burning safely, the Forest Service takes many precautions
prior to ignition. These include a Burn Plan, an Information Plan, and issuance of an Air
Pollution Control Division (APCD) Smoke Permit.
1. Burn Plan - A Burn Plan ensures all permits have been issued, all notifications have been
made, all necessary equipment is working and available, that all personnel are available and
briefed, and that backup resources are available. The Burn Plan specifies conditions
necessary for burning and requires that favorable conditions for burning exist prior to
ignition. Ignition will not occur if any of the parameters specified in the Burn Plan are not
met.
2. Information Plan—An Information Plan is prepared to identify the surrounding communities,
residents, fire cooperators, and key stakeholders; and identify how information about the
prescribed fire, before and during the burn, will be distributed.
3. Air Pollution Control Division (APCD) Smoke Permit - An APCD Smoke Permit is issued
prior to burning. The permit specifies the environmental conditions necessary for burning to
proceed, so burning will not result in a violation of air quality standards in or near the burn
areas.
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Caring for the Land and Serving People
Safety is our primary concern during prescribed burning operations. Only fully-qualified
prescribed fire personnel are allowed to staff the fire. Trainees may be assigned under the
supervision of fully-qualified personnel as specified in the Burn Plan. A Safety Plan is also
prepared.
The Burn Plan contains a Contingency Plan, which describes procedures to follow in the event
that burn objectives are not being met. The contingency plan pre-identifies resources available, if
needed, to take mitigation or control actions in the event of unacceptable fire activity or smoke
impacts. These additional resources could include local fire departments if they are available.
The burn area is assessed and mapped prior to ignition to identify and mitigate any potential
holding or control issues.
What You Can Expect During Prescribed Burning
If you request to be on our calling list, you will receive a phone call from the PNG at least one
day prior to ignition to inform you that the burning is about to begin. You can contact us about
smoke concerns at(970) 295-6770. Individuals can also check our recorded information line for
prescribed fire information at 970-498-1030. This line will be updated immediately before and
during burning operations with the latest information.
Burning is usually done over the course of one day depending on weather conditions, with
monitoring taking place following the burn. During prescribed burning, you can expect more
activity in the area than usual, including fire fighting personnel and equipment. Signs will be
posted along highways and main roads notifying people that prescribed burning is occurring and
smoke may limit visibility in some areas. Where smoke hampers visibility on main roads,
roadblocks may be established to control traffic until conditions are safe for driving.
Existing roads are used as firelines where possible, but in some cases it may be necessary to disk
a small amount of fireline or to mow an area to create a fireline to improve control lines. In other
cases, a wet (water or foam) line may be placed along the boundary of the burn block using
hoses from fire engines. Once control lines are ready, resources are on scene and in place, and
favorable environmental conditions exist, then firefighters may begin to ignite specific burn
areas.
For Your Safety and Ours
As a safety precaution, we ask that curious members of the public stay on county roads away
from the burn operations. Please stay clear of firefighters and their equipment,both for your
safety and theirs. An information officer in a Forest Service uniform will be available to answer
questions during ignition.
We appreciate your cooperation in the implementation of the PNG prescribed burn. If you have
further questions about burning, please call (970) 295-6770.
Sincerely,
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LORI A. BELL
District Ranger
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