RX BURN PLANNED THIS SPRING IN RF VALLEY
Redstone—A 900 acre prescribed burn is in the works this spring in the forest at Avalanche Creek. According to information from the White River National Forest, this year’s first prescribed burn of mountain shrub, pinyon-juniper and aspen trees is a continuation from last spring. White River Fuels Specialist Jim Genung says before crews can start the burn, weather conditions have to be favorable. He says since the day the plans were put in motion to do the burn, locals in the Crystal River Valley have been supportive. Genung says prescribed fires are a good way to stimulate growth for native big game and native wildlife like elk, bighorn sheep and mule deer. The burns will take place in phases in March, April and May using up to 20 firefighters and a helicopter.
ZIKA VIRUS COMES TO COLORADO
DENVER (AP) – Colorado has confirmed its first two cases of the Zika virus. Chief medical officer, Larry Wolk, says both people were infected after traveling to a Zika-affected country and have recovered. He says the cases were reported last week but the state health department won’t release any other details about them. Zika is most commonly spread by a type of mosquito that doesn’t live in Colorado. The virus has been spreading at an alarming speed in Latin America and the Caribbean since last fall. It causes mild illness or no symptoms in most people but there are suspicions it could be behind a surge in disturbing birth defects.
