The Hunter Creek prescribed burn is tentatively scheduled to start Saturday.
The Forest Service and other local entities hope to ignite 60-100 acres.
The warm weather the past couple of days has been ideal for setting a fire this weekend. There is currently no snow in the areas the Forest Service would like to burn, but enough nearby to keep it manageable.
However, nothing is certain until Saturday morning when the Forest Service will start a small test fire in order to see how the fuel responds and how and where the smoke disperses. If all looks promising, the burn will get started, according to Aspen Center for Environmental Studies forest programs director Jamie Werner.
“The Forest Service is really great about making sure conditions are absolutely perfect before they conduct these prescribed fires,” Werner said.
This fire must take place before vegetation greens up and nesting birds settle. But, if conditions aren’t ideal this season, the prescribed burn will be rescheduled for the fall or next spring.
The U.S. Forest Service is asking that people do not call 911 this weekend if they see smoke coming from the area. They are also asking people to stay out of the Hunter Creek area this weekend.