Fire managers with the Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit plan to burn piles of cut branches and brush – called slash piles – in the Little Dolores Unit, located approximately 13 miles southwest of Glade Park, Colorado, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 27-28.

Smoke may be visible from a limited time from Glade Park and the Grand Valley. If conditions remain favorable, fire managers will continue ignitions in other units throughout the week. Firefighters will only burn piles – a way to reduce fire “fuels” – when the weather conditions are ideal for a safe, effective burn and allow smoke to disperse.

Fire managers follow a detailed, approved prescribed fire plan and have smoke permits from the State of Colorado. Prescribed fire smoke may affect your health. For more information, visit the “Wood smoke and your health” page on the Colorado Air Pollution Control Division website.

More information, including a map of planned burn locations, is available in a previously released announcement.

Published on: January 26, 2026

The BLM manages about 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.