Single Publication

If conditions allow the BLM Tres Rios Field Office plans to initiate prescribed pile burning in the West Dolores Rim project area on BLM-managed lands located approximately 10 miles southeast of Dove Creek, CO on January 7th and 8th, 2024. 

The piles contain large logging slash that were created from previous mechanical treatments to reduce hazardous fuels. Firefighters plan to burn two to three piles per a day and will monitor them after completion to ensure public safety. 

The project area has a detailed burn plan that outlines the parameters for prescribed burning and contains specific criteria regarding weather conditions and air quality that must be met to ensure control of the burn, as well as minimizing the potential smoke impact to local communities. 

Expect columns of smoke in the area, due to the large piles burning. Most of the smoke will lift and dissipate during the warmest parts of the day. Smoke will be visible for several days after each burn is completed as vegetation in the interior continues to smolder. 

For more information on smoke, visit https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health.

For information on prescribed burns, visit the Southwest District BLM Prescribed Fire InciWeb page (https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7852/) or follow us on Twitter (https://twitter.com/SWD_Fire) and Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/BLMMontroseFireUnit).