SAN LUIS VALLEY — As part of Great Sand Dunes National Park’s hazardous fuels reduction efforts, fire managers from the park in partnership with Rio Grande National Forest are preparing to conduct a prescribed burn on up to 3,300 acres near the park’s northern boundary. The project area is located south of Baca Grande and approximately three miles south of Crestone.

Great Sand Dunes and the Rio Grande National Forest will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 24, at 6 p.m. at the Baca Grande Property Owners Association administration building, 68575 County Road T, Crestone. Knowledgeable staff will provide maps and general information on the operation and will answer questions and address concerns from the community.

The prescribed fire operation will remain west of Liberty Road. Liberty Road and access to the Liberty Trailhead will be closed during the operation to ensure public health and safety. Burning will begin as early as Oct. 1, if favorable weather and fuel conditions permit. 

Smoke will be visible from the Crestone and Baca Grande subdivisions, Colorado State Highway 17, and other locations in the San Luis Valley. Air quality considerations are an important part of prescribed fire, and each fire prescription is planned to disperse smoke rapidly and reduce lingering haze. However, smoke may still have adverse effects on some people’s health. For more information on how to mitigate health risks, visit https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health.

“Prescribed fire is a proactive tool used to achieve a number of purposes,” said Mike Lewelling, Great Sand Dunes Fire Management Officer. “The primary purpose of this prescribed burn is the reduction of hazardous fuels (overgrown vegetation). It helps decrease the threat of high-intensity, high-severity wildfires and reduce the risk of wildfire danger to nearby communities.

Prior to and during prescribed burns, fire managers closely monitor weather conditions with multiple weather forecasts generated by the National Weather Service. Forecasts are customized to the burn location with frequent on-site weather measurements. Fire personnel at the scene are constantly monitoring conditions during a prescribed burn and adapt accordingly. If at any time conditions are outside of predetermined acceptable levels, the operation will be halted. All burns are monitored until they are declared completely out.  
Neighbors and towns adjacent to the park should be aware that the prescribed burning may temporarily generate large plumes of smoke and that some burn units have the potential to smolder for several days. Signs will be posted along nearest major roads during the operation. Fire information updates including anticipated daily smoke impacts will be posted on https://inciweb.nwcg.gov. Any neighbors or individuals that may require special consideration or assistance in the event that unplanned smoke issues arise are encouraged to call Dale Culver, Chief Ranger at 719-378-6321.