Bureau of Land Management plans pile burns southwest of Meeker
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Meeker, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is planning pile burns in the White River Field Office between Dec. 5, 2023 and March 30, 2024.
The 454-acre project area is in the Piceance Basin, approximately 25 miles SW of Meeker on BLM public lands in Rio Blanco County.
The pile burning will reduce heavy fuels created from chaining operations that occurred in the 1960s and 1970s. Additional piles from a thinning project designed to reduce hazardous fuels near residences, range improvements, as well as electrical and oil & gas infrastructure are also part of the burn plan.
The project is located directly adjacent to BLM Road 1011 east of Hunter Gulch and west of Willow Creek. Smoke may be visible from HWY 13 and HWY 64 and will be visible from county roads in the Piceance Basin during the implementation of burning operations. Please see attached map for the Willow Creek Pile Burn.
The public is reminded to not call 911 or emergency services even though smoke may be visible. Road closures are not expected.
“Weather and fuel-moisture conditions will be closely monitored, and the burn will only be initiated if prescriptive parameters have been met,” said BLM Fuels Technician Shane Pfeiffer. “Each prescribed burn conducted by the Northwest Colorado Fire Management Unit has a detailed fire plan developed in advance, along with appropriate smoke permits obtained from the State of Colorado.”
Updates on prescribed burns will be available on the BLM Colorado Fire Facebook page.
Prescribed fire smoke may affect your health. For more information, please visit the Colorado Air Pollution Control Division’s website: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health.
For additional information, visit BLM Colorado fire information webpage at https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-information/Colorado or contact BLM Fuels Technician Shane Pfeiffer (970) 620-6957.
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.