LA JARA, Colo. - The San Luis Valley Interagency Fire Management Unit plans to conduct several prescribed burns this autumn on the Rio Grande National Forest’s Conejos Peak Ranger District. These beneficial burns include:

Alamaditas: This 500 acre burn area is located 15 miles southwest of La Jara and will take several days to complete. The purpose of the burn is to improve deer and elk winter range and reduce natural fuels buildup. Numerous natural features and roads will help manage the burn.

Conejos Canyon Unit 1: This 200 acre burn area is located one mile north of the Fox Creek subdivision. The prescribed burn is designed to reduce fuels buildup adjacent to the subdivision. Numerous natural features and roads will help manage the burn.

Bighorn/Stateline Unit 1: This 500 acre burn area is located three miles southwest of Mogote and will take several days to complete. The purpose of the burn is to improve elk and deer winter range and reduce woody debris left from forest thinning projects. Numerous natural features and roads will help manage the burn.

Residents and visitors will likely see smoke coming from these areas for several hours each day during burn operations. Burn area maps will be posted on the roads leading into the project areas and local residents will be contacted prior to initiation of the prescribed burns.

Prescribed fire smoke may affect your health. For more information see https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health.

For more information, contact the Conejos Peak District Ranger Office at: 719-274-8971.