Bureau of Land Management plans pile burns near Douglas Mountain and Juniper Mountain
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Craig, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management is planning two pile burns this winter within the Little Snake Field Office. Depending on weather, ignition of the piles could start as early as November 2023, or as late as January 2024. Pile burning will continue through the winter as conditions warrant or until both projects are completed.
All hand piles were created for hazardous fuels reduction and rangeland improvement for deer, elk, and sage grouse. Burning the piles will remove hazardous fuels and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires in the vicinity of the projects.
The Petersen/Holland Draw piles are located 65 miles west of Craig in the Douglas Mountain area. There are 250 acres of hand piles on BLM lands that the BLM created in 2022.
The Juniper Mountain piles are approximately 25 miles west of Craig, and 5 miles southeast of Maybell. There are 125 acres of hand piles on Juniper Mountain.
“We will only initiate the prescribed fire if conditions are ideal for a safe and effective burn as well as for good smoke dispersal away from local communities,” said Brandon Voegtle, Fire Management Specialist, Northwest District Fire Management Unit.
Smoke will be visible from the community of Greystone, Highway 318, and Highway 40. Most of the smoke will dissipate during the day, but some nighttime smoke may remain in valley bottoms as temperatures drop. Any carry-over smoke is expected to be short-term. The public is reminded to not call 911 or emergency services even though smoke may be visible.
Firefighter activity will likely be seen for several days following the burn.
Prescribed burns must be carried out in accordance with the Interagency Prescribed Fire Planning and Implementation Procedures Guide. The burn is also conducted in accordance with the State of Colorado Smoke Management Plan and Memorandum of Understanding and regulated under Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Air Pollution Control Division. The Air Pollution Control Division will issue an open burn permit, which specifies smoke dispersal conditions and other stipulations under which burning may occur. Weather and fuel moisture conditions will be closely monitored.
Please see the attached maps, Peterson/Holland Piles, Juniper Mountain Piles for location of the prescribed burns.
For additional information, visit BLM Colorado fire information webpage at https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-informatin/Colorado or contact BLM Fire Management Specialist Brandon Voegtle at 970-826-5096 or bvoegtle@blm.gov.
For more information on how prescribed fire smoke may affect your health, please visit: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health
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.