Colorado Fire Information

Fire management in Colorado is an interagency partnership among federal, state and local entities. BLM-managed lands within Colorado are broken into four Interagency Fire Management Units: Northwest Colorado Fire Unit in Craig, Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Unit in Grand Junction, Southwest District Fire Unit in Montrose and Front Range District Fire Unit in Canon City.

During Colorado's fire season, which is typically May through September, BLM resources such as engines and crews are staffed five to seven days a week.  Crews are staffed in staggered shifts to provide full-time coverage to respond to wildfires.

In addition to the agencies’ regular initial attack forces, BLM Colorado also hosts an interagency hotshot crew, which is available nationally.  Other fire resources include a wildland fire module in Grand Junction and one Type-3 helicopter in Rifle.

BLM Colorado also devotes staff and resources to rehabilitating burned landscapes, reseeding vegetation, protecting watershed quality and preventing the spread of noxious weeds following severe wildfires. On average,  the BLM completes about 9,000 acres of fuels reduction projects in Colorado, including those associated with sage-grouse habitat.

Throughout the year, the BLM also helps Colorado counties complete wildfire protection plans by offering technical expertise and assistance agreements. The BLM and its cooperators have completed several hundred community-based, interagency educational workshops to support community wildfire preparedness, planning, and hazard mitigation.