Prescribed fire planned on West Dolores Rim
Event Description
DOLORES, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Tres Rios Field Office will conduct prescribed fire treatments April 23, 2025 – May 2025 along the West Dolores Rim project area seven miles east and northeast of Dove Creek. Firefighters will use a combination of hand and aerial ignitions to ignite 977 acres of pine needle cast and mountain brush leaf litter within ponderosa pine stands.
“The West Rim project continues to be one of the BLM's greatest successes in reintroducing fire onto the landscape,” said James Savage, BLM supervisory fuels specialist. “BLM began implementing prescribed fire in the West Rim project area in 2008. After 16 years and thousands of acres treated, the BLM continues to see fantastic benefits for the timber stand, wildlife, and public land users, including reduced risk to homes, infrastructure, and resources.”
Prescribed fire is an important tool for active vegetation management and the reduction of wildfire risk. Prescribed fire mimics natural processes under appropriate weather and vegetative conditions, which improves forage for wildlife, increases plant diversity by creating breaks in the understory where native grasses and forbs can thrive, and effectively reduces hazardous vegetation while enhancing woodland health.
This project reflects the BLM’s ongoing commitment to protect the public while enhancing wildlife habitat and reducing the risk of wildfire. The BLM obtained smoke permits from the Colorado State Air Pollution Control Division, which identify atmospheric conditions under which the burns can be implemented. For more information, visit https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health.
For general information, contact John Wroblewski, Southwest District Fire Mitigation Specialist, at (970) 240-5335.
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.