Prescribed burns planned

GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colorado — The onset of winter weather across the Upper Colorado River basin has created conditions that meet the requirements for prescribed burning projects within the White River National Forest.

Over the next several weeks, personnel from the Central Zone of the Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit will be burning slash piles left after fuels reduction projects.

Locally, burn projects will take place near Oak Meadows south of Glenwood Springs in the Four Mile drainage, in the vicinity of Haystack Gate southwest of Carbondale, at the Redstone Campground, and at the Chapman Campground above Ruedi Reservoir.

Near Rifle, burn projects are located in the vicinity of Meadow Lake and Flagpole Mountain.

Two projects are also planned in the Blanco Ranger District, in the vicinity of the Ripple Creek Overlook and the Ute Creek Trailhead.

“We have a very specific set of weather conditions we want for these projects, and will not burn if those conditions do not exist, Assistant Fire Management Officer Lathan Johnson. “We are especially concerned about smoke dispersal. We do not want the smoke from these burns to adversely affect nearby residents.”

For more information, contact Johnson at (970) 625-2872.

Federal help for new Rifle water purification facility

RIFLE, Colorado — Rifle will be getting $300,000 in federal help for its new water purification facility, it was announced on Thursday.

Federal authorities were worried that, without outside financing, the costs of the new plant would be higher than local taxpayers could afford.

According to the office of Rep. John Salazar, Rifle's Democratic congressman, the money was included in a recent appropriations bill that won congressional approval.

The money is part of $24 million in funding for projects in various Colorado jurisdictions.

Rifle, Harvey Gap boat launches close Sunday

RIFLE, Colorado — Rifle Gap and Harvey Gap state parks will close their boat ramps to all trailered vessels between Sunday, Nov. 1 and April 1, 2010, to prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species, including zebra and quagga mussels.

Hand launching of small boats will be allowed until the lake freezes over, which usually occurs in late December, according to the Colorado State Parks Service.

State Park regulations prohibit the launching of boats from trailers except at designated boat launching areas in parks.

The Cedar and Cottonwood Campgrounds remain open for camping with electrical hookups throughout the winter on a first-come, first-serve basis. All facilities with running water will be shut down for the season Sunday, including all flush restrooms, water hydrants and the dump station.

The park offices will remain open throughout the winter from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, so that visitors are able to purchase park passes, camping permits and registrations. Although the park is staffed every day, office hours vary on the weekends depending on ranger availability. Visitors should call ahead.

Independence Pass closed for the season

LAKE/PITKIN COUNTIES, Colorado — The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) announced on Thursday that Independence Pass is closed for the season — ahead of the regularly scheduled goal date of Nov. 7 (which would have occurred on Nov. 6 this year, a Friday).

The pass was closed on Oct. 27 due to a winter storm warning.

“Heavy winds and continuing snowfall have made the pass unsafe for motorists and workers alike,” said a statement from CDOT. “This closure includes the area from just east of Aspen to west of Twin Lakes, approximately 18 miles.”

The alternate route to Aspen during the months Independence Pass is closed is I-70 to Glenwood Springs, and Colorado Highway 82 into Aspen.