West Rim Prescribed Burn

🔥 West Rim Prescribed Burn RX Update – Unit 42B (September 21, 2025) 🔥

Fire crews successfully completed the prescribed burn on Unit 42B yesterday, focusing on interior ignition under favorable weather conditions, including light precipitation by end of shift. A total of 370 acres were treated during the operation.

With the burn concluded, crews are now securing fireline edges and will continue patrolling the unit over the next few days. Smoke may remain visible during peak afternoon hours and could settle into low-lying valleys overnight. Please use caution in the area.

Thank you to our agency partners, volunteer fire departments, and the public for your continued support.

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🔥 West Rim Prescribed Burn – Unit 42B Update 🔥 Date: September 19, 2025

Fire crews have successfully established a blackline around the entire burn unit, creating a secure perimeter. However, due to today’s weather conditions, crews were unable to complete the full burn.

Operations will continue through the weekend with additional interior lighting planned to meet prescribed fire objectives.

Thank you to our local volunteer fire departments, partner agencies, and the public for your continued support and cooperation.

Please stay alert for smoke in the area, especially during the afternoon and evening hours.

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🔥 West Rim Prescribed Burn – Unit 42B Update 🔥 Date: September 19, 2025

Fire crews are making excellent progress on the West Rim Prescribed Burn in Unit 42B. As operations continue, smoke will now be visible in the area—this is expected and part of the planned activity.

We appreciate your continued support and understanding as we work together to reduce wildfire risk and improve forest health.

SEPTEMBER 19th, 2025

🔥 Prescribed Fire Update – West Rim Unit 42B - 🔥

The test fire initiated on the West Rim prescribed fire unit 42B was successful. Fire behavior and conditions met the required parameters, confirming readiness for full ignition.

🚒 Fire crews will now proceed with the planned burn operations across the unit. This prescribed fire is part of ongoing efforts to reduce hazardous fuels, improve ecosystem health, and enhance community wildfire resilience.

Please continue to avoid the area and follow all posted safety guidance. Updates will be provided as operations progress.

Thank you for your cooperation and support!

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🔥 Prescribed Burn Notification – West Dolores Rim 🔥

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Southwest District Fire will conduct a prescribed burn on the West Dolores Rim within the Tres Rios Field Office on Friday, September 19, 2025, weather permitting.

📍 Location: Approximately 3 miles east of Egnar, CO and 7.4 miles northeast of Dove Creek, CO

🔥 Planned Burn Area: 370 acres

🎯 Purpose: To reduce hazardous fuels and improve the health and resilience of public lands

Smoke Advisory:

• Smoke may be visible along portions of Highway 141 and could settle in lower valleys overnight
• While smoke may be present in the burn area at times, most smoke will lift and dissipate during the warmest parts of the day
• Expect visible smoke for several days after the burn, as interior vegetation continues to smolder
• The BLM has obtained smoke permits from the Colorado State Air Pollution Control Division, which define the atmospheric conditions under which the burn may proceed
• Prescribed fire smoke may affect your health—please take appropriate precautions if you are sensitive to smoke

Fire personnel will remain on-site to monitor conditions and ensure public safety. For updates, visit the BLM Southwest District website or contact the Tres Rios Field Office.

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West Dolores Rim prescribed fire update May 11th, 2025.

Fire crews successfully completed a prescribed burn in Unit 1 over the weekend. Total acreage burned was 316 acres in Ponderosa and Gamble Oak. Fire effects were in the low to moderate range. A big thanks to all our partners, (federal and nonfederal) for helping make this prescribed burn a success. Fire crews will remain on scene for patrol over the next week.

Expect smoke to be visible from the burn area during the heat of the day. Smoke may become more of a presence in low areas, drainages and roads close to the burn area at night.

Check out photos from the burn.

West Dolores Rim prescribed fire update May 6th, 2025.

The BLM Tres Rios Office plans to conduct prescribed fire treatments starting May 8th-May 15th, 2025. Fire crews will be slated to burn all units which include:

• Unit 1 (316 acres)
• Unit 18B (291 acres)
• Unit 42B 370 acres)

Smoke from prescribed fires can be visible from a distance and may remain in the lower areas overnight. Please check back for updates.

West Dolores Rim prescribed fire update April 22nd, 2025.

The planned prescribed burn for West Dolores Rim, Unit 1 has been postponed. Due to high winds and dry fuels, the prescribed burn has been postponed until better weather conditions arise. Firefighters will continue to monitor future burn windows. Please check back for future updates.

West Dolores Rim prescribed fire planned for April 23rd, 2025.

DOLORES, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Tres Rios field office plans to conduct prescribed fire treatments starting April 23rd, 2025. Weather conditions have become favorable to conduct a prescribed burn on the West Dolores Rim this week. Fire crews will be slated to burn Unit 1, containing 316 acres. Ignitions are planned for Wednesday April 23rd, 2025. If conditions change, fire crews will continue to monitor the weather for the next available window.

This unit consists of mainly Pondera Pine with a needle cast and brushy understory. The overall goals of this prescribed burn is to reduce the hazardous fuel loading within the unit, promote healthy regenerative growth for future Ponderosa Pine trees, and to lessen the catastrophic risk of wildfire within the West Rim area.

This project reflects the BLM’s ongoing commitment to protect the public while enhancing wildlife habitat and reducing the risk of wildfire. The BLM obtained smoke permits from the Colorado State Air Pollution Control Division, which identify atmospheric conditions under which the burns can be implemented.

While no road closures are expected during the projects, camping near the units is discouraged due to increased traffic and likelihood of smoke in the area, particularly at night. Multiple days of burning may occur as fuel conditions and weather 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 vegetation in the interior continues to smolder.

Please continue to check back for all current updates with the West Rim prescribed burn.

For more information, visit https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health.

Prescribed Fire to be initiated at West Dolores Rim Spring 2025

DOLORES, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Tres Rios field office plans to conduct prescribed fire treatments starting April 15th, 2025 – May 2025. Prescribed fire is an important tool for active vegetation management and the reduction of wildfire risk. The West Dolores Rim project area is seven miles east and northeast of Dove Creek. Firefighters will use a combination of hand and aerial ignitions to ignite 977 acres of pine needle cast and mountain brush leaf litter within ponderosa pine stands.

“The West Rim project continues to be one of the BLM's greatest successes in reintroducing fire onto the landscape. BLM began implementing prescribed fire in the West Rim project area in 2008, and after 16 years and thousands of acres treated, the BLM continues to see fantastic benefits for the timber stand, wildlife, and public land users, including reduced risk to homes, infrastructure, and resources.” - James Savage, BLM Supervisory Fuels Specialist

Prescribed fire mimics natural processes under appropriate weather and vegetative conditions, which improves forage for wildlife, increases plant diversity by creating breaks in the understory where native grasses and forbs can thrive, and effectively reduces hazardous vegetation while enhancing woodland health.

This project reflects the BLM’s ongoing commitment to protect the public while enhancing wildlife habitat and reducing the risk of wildfire. The BLM obtained smoke permits from the Colorado State Air Pollution Control Division, which identify atmospheric conditions under which the burns can be implemented.

While no road closures are expected during the projects, camping near the units is discouraged due to increased traffic and likelihood of smoke in the area, particularly at night. Multiple days of burning may occur as fuel conditions and weather 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 vegetation in the interior continues to smolder.

West Dolores Rim prescribed burn will include 3 separate burn units. Units maybe burn simultaneously or individually depending on predicted weather conditions.

• Unit 1 316 acres

• Unit 18B 291 acres

• Unit 42B 370 acres

Please continue to check back for all current updates with the West Rim prescribed burn.

For more information, visit https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health.