| InciWeb

July 31 Update:

Over the weekend, the burn area received some precipitation. This, along with work by firefighters along the trails in the area, allows those trails to open back up. Firefighters are pulling closure signs today in anticipation of the trails opening back up tomorrow. Firefighters will continue to be in the area monitoring, but no additional burning is expected at this time. Last week, 553 acres were successfully burned. 

July 20 Update: 

Firefighters have been closely monitoring local conditions at the Magic Feather Prescribed Burn, located south and southeast of Red Feather Lakes. Burning could begin as soon as July 24, 2023. Until recently, conditions at this site have been too wet to carry fire and achieve the desired fuel reduction effects.

Burning of the Magic Feather Prescribed Burn has been taking place over recent years as conditions have allowed. In May 2023, 200 acres were successfully burned, all north of County Road 74E (Red Feather Lakes Road).

People in the area should expect to see smoke when operations are taking place, including around Dowdy Lake and West Lake campgrounds and day-use areas. The trail system in the Mount Margaret, Molly Lake, Elkhorn and Lady Moon area is open until burning resumes but will be closed during burning operations.

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The burn is located east and southeast of Red Feather Lakes. Work has already taken place in the area to prepare for ignitions, including tree cutting around the perimeter and within the interior of the project.

Appropriate, localized conditions must be met before ignition of prescribed burns can take place. Fire managers have been carefully monitoring these conditions, including favorable weather forecast (temperature, wind, precipitation, relative humidity), fuel moisture, smoke dispersal and staffing. Weather is monitored throughout the burn and burning is halted if conditions fall outside of the required conditions.

People in the area should expect to see smoke when operations are taking place. Smoke may also impact those using the Dowdy Lake Campgrounds and Day-Use Area. Prescribed fire smoke may affect your health. More information about smoke impacts is available at https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health.

Even with the most thorough planning and preparation, the use of prescribed fire carries an innate level of risk that cannot be eliminated entirely. However, prescribed fire is one of the most efficient ways of reducing wildfire risk. Regularly conducting prescribed fires, which mimic nature, reduces the buildup of flammable vegetation and overgrowth.

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