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FORT COLLINS, Colo. (Oct. 5, 2023) – Firefighters on the Roosevelt National Forest’s Canyon Lakes Ranger District are closely monitoring local conditions to resume prescribed fire operations on the Magic Feather Prescribed Burn near Red Feather Lakes as soon as October 7, 2023. 

The burn is located east and southeast of Red Feather Lakes. This project is a continuation of burning that took place in July when 553 acres were successfully burned. Burning operations will occur throughout the fall as conditions allow and will include six units totaling approximately 5,000 acres, located north and south of County Road 74E (Red Feather Lakes Road). 

Appropriate, localized conditions must be met before ignition of prescribed burns can take place. Fire managers have been carefully monitoring these conditions, including favorable weather forecast (temperature, wind, precipitation, relative humidity), fuel moisture, smoke dispersal and staffing. Weather is monitored throughout the burn and burning is halted if conditions fall outside of the required conditions. 

Expect to see increased activity in the Mount Margaret, Molly Lake, Elkhorn and Lady Moon area while firefighters are prepping and burning within the project area. These trail systems will be closed during operations. 

People in the surrounding area should expect to see smoke when operations are taking place. Smoke may also impact those using the Dowdy Lake Campgrounds and Day-Use Area. Prescribed fire smoke may affect your health. For more information about the potential health impacts of smoke, visit Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. 

Even with the most thorough planning and preparation, the use of prescribed fire carries an innate level of risk that cannot be eliminated entirely. However, prescribed fire is one of the most efficient ways of reducing wildfire risk. Regularly conducting prescribed fires, which mimic nature, reduces the buildup of flammable vegetation and overgrowth. 

This prescribed burn is part of the overall strategy on the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests to address the Wildfire Crisis. Prescribed fire is one of the most efficient ways of reducing wildfire risk. Regularly conducting prescribed fires, which mimic nature, reduces the buildup of flammable vegetation and overgrowth. 

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