A large slash pile burns at the lower portion of Animas City Mountain in this file photo. The U.S. Forest Service plans to set fire to similar piles through December near Hermosa and Vallecito.
A large slash pile burns at the lower portion of Animas City Mountain in this file photo. The U.S. Forest Service plans to set fire to similar piles through December near Hermosa and Vallecito.Durango Herald file photo

The slash has accumulated from tree thinning projects in previous years.

Firefighters will ignite and monitor the operations, which should not affect public access or use of areas.

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