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02/24/2004: "Public Input Sought On Proposed Burn In Buffalo Creek Burn Area"
The U.S. Forest Service is seeking public comment on a proposal to conduct a prescribed maintenance burn on approximately 1,286 acres within a portion of the 1996 Buffalo Creek burn area. The burn is designed to reduce the density of large diameter fuels resulting from fallen snags and flash fuels created by an abundance of grasses. Prescribed burning will create a more effective and defensible fuel break in the event of another large wildfire such as the Hayman fire of 2002. It would also improve wildlife habitat conditions by maintaining the vigor of fire-adapted grasses and shrubs.
The treatments would occur in portions of Sections 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 17, & 18 in T8S R70W, west of the Spring Creek subdivision. Buffers would be left around patches of live trees to protect seedlings growing in and around larger trees. As trees in the area become better established, in the future, additional low-intensity prescribed burns will be conducted to aid in restoring more natural conditions, including lower tree densities and openings. Restoration of more natural conditions will provide improved habitat conditions for native species and greatly reduce the likelihood of high-intensity wildfires.
Implementation is planned for the spring of 2004, but is dependent upon appropriate burning conditions. A decision is anticipated in mid to late March 2004 following the completion of all necessary biological, botanical, archaeological and other evaluations.
Comments will be accepted until Mar. 10, 2004. Comments should be directed to Mike Elson at the South Platte Ranger District, 19316 Goddard Ranch Court, Morrison, CO 80465 or by e-mail to mtelson@fs.fed.us.
