MORRISON, Colo., December 19, 2006… Look for smoke over southwest Denver beginning today as the USDA-Forest Service (FS) continues to create healthier forests and provide wildfire protection to area residents. The FS plans to burn large piles of tree limbs and tree tops on Pike and San Isabel National Forests-South Platte District in the Sprucewood/Moonridge area approximately 12 miles southwest of Sedalia.

It will likely take several weeks for the agency to finish burning the several large piles of woody debris. It was collected after mechanically thinning more than 1,500 acres in the Russell Ridge project area over the past two years.

The piles measure up to 200 feet long by 30 feet wide by 30 feet in height and contain sizable tree limbs and tops. Because of the size, flames could be visible to residents of the Southern Metro Denver area. The ground around each of the piles has been cleared to keep the burning contained and several inches of snow on the ground will provide an added safety barrier. Fire managers will monitor burned piles throughout the process. It could tale weeks before the woody debris is consumed.

This project is a continuation of an aggressive program of fuels treatment and thinning on the Pike and San Isabel National Forests-South Platte District since completion of the 17,400-acre Upper South Platte Watershed Preservation and Restoration Project. Since 2003, the FS has completed on-the-ground treatment on more than 25,000 acres.

Ignition will take place when smoke impacts to surrounding communities are minimal and the burn meets permit conditions of the Colorado State Air Pollution Control Division.