Firefighters planning prescribed burns in Garfield & Eagle Counties

SILT, Colo. – Firefighters from the Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Unit are planning prescribed fires in Eagle and Garfield counties this fall if conditions warrant. Burning could begin as early as this week.

The 200-acre Sheep Gulch Prescribed Fire is planned four miles northwest of Gypsum in Eagle County to reduce hazardous fuels and improve sagebrush communities. Smoke may be seen from the Eagle River corridor and Town of Gypsum.

In Garfield County, the 160-acre Roan Plateau Prescribed Fire is planned on the Roan Plateau north of Rifle in the East Fork Drainage of Parachute Creek to help restore aspen. Smoke may be seen from the Roan Plateau, Rifle and the I-70 corridor.

“We will only ignite these prescribed fires if conditions are ideal for safe, effective burns, as well as for good smoke dispersal away from area communities,” said Rusty Stark, fuels specialist for the Bureau of Land Management Colorado River Valley Field Office.

Fire managers have developed a detailed prescribed fire plan and obtained smoke permits from the State of Colorado for each of the planned burns.

Anyone with health conditions that may be affected by short durations of smoke should contact Rusty Stark at (970) 876-9030. Prescribed fire smoke may affect your health. For more information, see https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health.

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David Boyd, Public Affairs Specialist, Bureau of Land Management,NW Colorado District

2300 River Frontage Road, Silt, CO 81652, (970) 876-9008, (970) 319-4130 (cell)