Local fire agencies plan to set a prescribed burn this week near El Jebel.
The burn will target 1,200 acres north of El Jebel near Cottonwood Pass. It’s part of a U.S. Forest Service project to improve the winter wildlife habitat. Elk and mule deer feed on the young growth in the area. The burn is also a protective measure for nearby homes. The fire will occur in aspens and shrubs, eliminating the dry brush that fuels wildfire.
The hope is this week’s weather conditions align to minimize danger and help dissipate smoke from the valleys. Officials with the U.S. Forest Service said that smoke will be visible from Carbondale and Basalt, as well as the Eagle valley, and with temperatures dropping, that smoke could stick around at night.