Fire managers on South Park Ranger District are preparing for prescribed burning around Lake George, the smoke of which may be visible in much of Teller County.

This includes up to 684 acres of broadcast burning, which involves the ignition of surface fuels within prepared units. The projects are Beaver, 7.5 miles Southwest of Lake George near the Echo and Beaver Valley Subdivisions, and O’Brien Two, 1 – 2 miles West of Lake George along Forest Road 271.

Burning could be conducted through late November, but exact dates are uncertain.

Ignition will take place when weather and fuel conditions are such that the fire behavior will be within the burn plan and substantial smoke impacts are unlikely to affect surrounding communities. Local fuel and fire managers will monitor weather and fuel conditions closely to ensure burning only takes place when those desired conditions are met. When burning does take place, it may continue for one to several days.

Vegetation types are predominantly ponderosa pine and Douglas fir with grass, shrubs and aspen. Surface burning of the area is designed to reduce the amount of timber needles and woody debris on the forest floor and to remove a portion of small diameter trees and low-hanging branches of larger trees. In addition, prescribed burning helps to restore the health of open conifer stands and aspen groves by improving soil nutrients and resprouting grass and shrubs for wildlife habitat.

Smoke is a natural byproduct of fire, and some amounts are unavoidable. Expect smoke to be visible from Highway 24 and other areas during actual burning days. Smoke may linger in the air for several days after ignition is completed. Prescribed fire smoke may affect your health.

Fire personnel will patrol burn units as needed until the fires are out. Weather and fuels conditions will continue to be monitored through this process to ensure adequate resources are available.