Forest slash pile burning operations in Eagle County set to begin in coming weeks

Fire managers with the Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit are planning to begin burning slash piles in the coming weeks on the Aspen-Sopris, Dillon and Eagle-Holy Cross ranger districts.

“The slash piles are the result of past work we’ve completed thinning and clearing vegetation to reduce the risk of unwanted wildfires and to improve wildlife habitat,” White River National Forest east zone fuels specialist Mathew Walls said. “We’ll only burn slash piles when there is sufficient moisture in the form of snow or rain, and weather conditions allow for a safe, effective burn and optimal smoke dispersal.”

Crews may burn as many as hundreds of piles per day depending on location and conditions. Most of the smoke will dissipate during the day, but some smoke could remain in valley bottoms and drainages at night for short periods. Personnel will monitor project areas for several days following pile burning.

On the Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District, burn piles are located in the Piney Salvage area near Red and White Mountain north of Vail, and Third Gulch along Hardscrabble Road. On the Aspen-Sopris Ranger District, burn piles are located near the Sunlight Mountain Communication Site, southwest of Glenwood Springs. On the Dillon Ranger District, burn piles are located in the Breckenridge, Keystone, Silverthorne and Frisco areas.

Fire managers have developed a detailed prescribed fire plan and obtained smoke permits from the state of Colorado. For more information about smoke and health, go to Colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health. For more information about these prescribed fires, call Olivia Blake, 970-200-6195.