BLM plans prescribed pile burns in Douglas Mountain and Juniper Mountain areas

CRAIG, Colo. – Fire managers with the Bureau of Land Management Little Snake Field Office plan to conduct prescribed pile burns in the Douglas Mountain and Juniper Mountain areas. Fire personnel may start operations as early as January and continue through March, depending on weather and fuel conditions.

“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 Doug Berg, Northwest District Fire Management Unit, Fire Management Specialist.

Smoke may be visible during and after the burns as piles continue to smolder. Fire personnel may be visible in the area for several days following ignition to monitor and manage the pile burns.

Planned burn locations include:

• Petersen/Holland Draw Phase II – Approximately 12 acres of hand piles created in 2022 on BLM-managed lands, located about 65 miles west of Craig in the Douglas Mountain area.
• Petersen/Holland Draw Phase III – Approximately 108 acres of hand piles created in 2024 in the same general area as above.
• Juniper Mountain – Approximately 5 acres of remaining hand piles located about 25 miles west of Craig and 5 miles southeast of Maybell.

These prescribed burns are part of ongoing efforts to reduce wildfire risk and improve rangeland habitat for wildlife, including deer, elk, and sage grouse. Burning will only occur when sufficient snow accumulation is present to ensure safe and effective operations.

Smoke and Public Safety
Smoke may be visible from the communities of Greystone, and along Highways 318 and 40. Though most smoke is expected to dissipate during the day, some may settle in valley bottoms overnight. Any lingering smoke is expected to be short-term. The public is reminded not to call 911 to report smoke from these planned burns.

Prescribed fire smoke may affect your health. For more information, visit the “Wood smoke and your health” webpage on the Colorado Air Pollution Control Division website.

Regulatory Compliance
BLM conducts all prescribed burns in accordance with the Interagency Prescribed Fire Planning and Implementation Procedures Guide, the State of Colorado Smoke Management Plan, and a Memorandum of Understanding with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The CDPHE’s Air Pollution Control Division will issue an open burn permit outlining smoke dispersal requirements and other conditions.

Maps and Additional Information
Maps of the Petersen/Holland and Juniper Mountain pile burn locations are in an attachment below. For more information, visit the BLM Colorado Fire Information webpage or contact Berg at 720-987-3697 or [email protected].