Yellow Jacket Pile Burn

The Bureau of Land Management Southwest District- Tres Rios Field Office plans to conduct a prescribed pile burn in Montezuma County near McElmo Creek now through late spring, 2025. This planned pile burn is a part of larger project to reduce hazardous fuels; reduce noxious and invasive plant species, protect wildland-urban interface communities, improve range conditions; and reintroduce fire to a fire-adapted ecosystem to restore healthy forests.

While no road closures are expected during the projects, smoke in the area is likely, particularly at night. Multiple days of burning may occur as weather conditions permit. Project areas will be monitored once completed to ensure public safety. While smoke may be visible in the burn area at times, most of the smoke will lift and dissipate during the warmest parts of the day. Expect visible smoke in the area for several days after each burn is completed as piles continue to smolder.

The BLM obtained smoke permits from the Colorado State Air Pollution Control Division, which identify atmospheric conditions under which the burns can be implemented. Prescribed fire smoke may affect your health. For more information, visit https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health.