HomeMy WebLinkAbout20110332.tiff United States Forest Pawnee 660"O"Street
USDA Department of Service National Grassland Greeley,CO 80631 , i n,i, .
Agriculture Voice: (970)346-5000 TDD:,(970)'3hf t5 Y = I
- .S Web: www.fs.fed.us/r2/arnf� i- .
Fax: (970)346-5014
Li; JIM 2b A JO: 23
File Code: 5140
Date: January 25, 2011 v il SW
Dear Interested Party,
As you are probably aware, the Pawnee National Grassland (PNG) is making preparations to
conduct our annual prescribed burn. We are making the necessary preparations including reviewing
the Prescribed Fire Burn Plan, obtaining smoke permits from the State, preparing burn equipment
and personnel, and establishing control lines around burn units. We are also monitoring weather and
soil moisture conditions. We expect burning could take place as soon as the week of March 7,
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 cactus and improve rangeland condition, as well as improve wildlife habitat.
Follow-up activities, including mowing, will also be conducted to reduce cactus. (Please see map for
specific locations.)
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 Smoke Permit- An APCD Smoke Permit is issued prior to
burning. This permit specifies the environmental conditions necessary for burning to proceed, so
burning will not result in a violation of air quality standards for smoke in or near the burn areas.
Safety is our primary concern during prescribed burning operations. Only fully-qualified prescribed
fire personnel will be 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 will also be prepared.
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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. Each 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. Please contact us if you or someone
you know has health concerns associated with smoke. 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 to three days depending on weather conditions.
During prescribed burning, you can expect much 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 that smoke may limit visibility in some areas. Where
smoke hampers visibility on highways and 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 or smoke-related health concerns, please call (970) 295-6770.
Sincerely,
G UI zi
LORI A. BELL
District Ranger
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