Smoke will be visible this afternoon as operations continue for a planned prescribed burn in the Yellowjacket area of the San Juan National Forest east of Bayfield. About 1,000 acres will be aerially ignited in the Northern HD Mountains south of U.S. Highway 160. Smoke is expected to loft high into the atmosphere and may be visible from Durango, Pagosa Springs and Bayfield. Ground crews completed 500 acres of blacklining operations over the weekend to secure the burn area perimeter. Daytime smoke is projected to transport north and east into the Upper Piedra Drainage and Southern Hinsdale County. Nighttime smoke is projected to settle into the Beaver Creek and Sauls Creek drainages. Smoke will be heavier in mornings following burning operations and should lift by mid-day. Weather permitting, aerial ignitions are also planned for tomorrow on 1,500 acres within the burn unit.
