(SALIDA, Colo.) — The Salida Ranger District of Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands (PSICC) are planning two prescribed burns to happen in the fall.

The projects will be at North Trout Creek and another at Threemile Creek and could begin as early as Oct. 1 to sometime in mid-November. Staff are monitoring fuel and weather conditions to determine the appropriate burn windows.

PSICC said these prescribed burns aim to reduce the amount of hazardous fuels, restore and maintain healthy and diverse forest ecosystems and wildlife habitats, and reduce the risk of wildfires.

The North Trout Creek project will treat two areas about four miles east of Buena Vista. One area is 795 acres north of McGee Gulch and Shields Gulch between Forest Roads 376 and 376.B, the second area is 330 acres boarded by Forest Roads 375 and 377. Temporary road closures will be in effect during the burn project for public and firefighter safety. Those roads include Forest Roads 376, 376.B, 375, and 377.

The Threemile Creek project is about three miles west of Centerville and is expected to treat 345 acres south of Browns Creek Trailhead, east of Forest Road 272. Temporary road closures are expected on Forest Roads 272, 272.A and 272.B for public and firefighter safety.

“I am hopeful we will get the right conditions to meet all criteria to conduct these wildfire fuels reduction prescribed burns. We have had great success with prescribed fire on units nearby in the past two to three years,” said Salida District Ranger Perry Edwards.

According to PSICC, once a prescribed burn begins, smoke may be visible for several days throughout the Arkansas River Valley.