The U.S. Forest Service will begin its fall prescribed burn program in the Eldorado National Forest next week with 250 acres of the Iron Trap Understory Burn project located along the eastern end of the Mormon Emigrant Trail.

At 6,800 to 7,600 feet the weather and forest conditions on the Iron Trap project is significantly cooler and moister than the lower elevations of the forest where the King Fire burned.

Prescribed fires and pile burning are intended to reduce the amount of vegetation, such as needles, small plants, brush, and small trees, which can carry fire from the forest floor into the canopy.

For additional information, call Nickie Washington at 530.621.5237 or email at nickielwashington@fs.fed.us.