Firefighters planning prescribed burns in Eagle, Garfield counties

SILT, Colo. – Beginning as early as this week, firefighters from the Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Unit could ignite two prescribed fires planned for this fall if conditions warrant.

The 180-acre Sheep Gulch Prescribed Fire is planned four miles northwest of Gypsum in Eagle County to reduce hazardous fuels and to reduce pinon-juniper expansion to help restore sagebrush communities in the area. Smoke may be seen from the Eagle River corridor and Town of Gypsum.

In Garfield County, the 400-acre Roan Plateau Prescribed Fire is planned on the Roan Plateau north of Rifle in the Grassy Gulch Area along 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.

David Boyd