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Pile burning set to begin in Eagle, Garfield, and Summit counties

Colorado
Upper Colorado River DO
Colorado River Valley FO
Media Contact
Winter scene with snow on ground and mountain backdrop with large pile of trees and debris aflame

 

Fire managers with the Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit are planning to begin burning slash piles in the coming weeks on White River National Forest and Bureau of Land Management-administered lands in Eagle, Garfield, and Summit counties.


“These piles are the result of vegetation projects we have completed to reduce the risk of unwanted wildfires and help improve wildlife habitat,” said Lathan Johnson, Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit Deputy Fire Manager Officer. “We’ll only burn slash piles when there is sufficient moisture in the form of snow or rain and weather conditions allow for a safe, effective burn and optimal smoke dispersal.”


Crews may burn tens to hundreds of piles per day depending on location and conditions. Most of the smoke will dissipate during the day; however, some smoke could remain in valley bottoms and drainages at night for short durations. Firefighters will be on the scene during the day, but piles will be allowed to burn or smolder unattended overnight. Personnel will monitor the project areas for several days following pile burning.


If conditions allow, pile burning will occur across the three counties in the following locations:

  • In Eagle County, crews are planning burn piles on BLM lands in the Bellyache Ridge area south of Wolcott and on National Forest System Lands north of Minturn (Trapper’s Run).

  • In Garfield County, pile burning is planned on National Forest System Lands near the Sunlight Mountain communication site.

  • In Summit County, crews are planned to burn piles on National Forest System lands in the Breckenridge area (Blue River West, Boreas Pass, Highlands Drive, and Barton Gulch to Peak 7), Keystone area (Frey Gulch, Keystone Gulch), Silverthorne area (Ruby Ranch, Harrigan to Rock Creek) and Frisco area (Heaton Bay, Ophir Mountain, Willow Brook).


Fire managers have developed a detailed prescribed fire plan and obtained smoke permits from the State of Colorado. Prescribed fire smoke may affect your health. For more information, visit: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health. For more information about these pile burns, please call Olivia Blake at (970) 200-6195.

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.