Fire managers with the Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit, which includes the Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service, are planning to begin burning slash piles on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 starting at 9:00 am, near Heaton Bay and Ophir Mountain in the Town of Frisco. These slash piles are the result of fuel reduction and hazardous tree removal projects across the White River National Forest.

 In addition to the pile burns in the Frisco area, there will also be pile burns in the Breckenridge area (White Cloud Drive, Tiger Road, Highlands Drive, and Barton Gulch to Peak 7), Keystone area (Frey Gulch, Keystone Gulch), and Silverthorne area (Ruby Ranch, Harrigan to Rock Creek).

“The slash piles are the result of past work we’ve completed thinning and clearing vegetation to reduce the risk of unwanted wildfires and to improve wildlife habitat,” said Mathew Walls, White River National Forest East Zone Fuels Specialist. “We’ll only burn slash piles when there is sufficient moisture in the form of snow or rain and weather conditions allow for a safe, effective burn, and optimal smoke dispersal.”

What to Expect

Smoke and flames may be visible from I-70 and Highway 9/Summit Boulevard; in the Towns of Frisco, Breckenridge, Silverthorne, and Dillon; and from surrounding areas. Fire crews will be on the scene during the day to monitor smoke and will allow burns to smolder overnight.

For more information about these prescribed fires and pile burns, please contact Olivia Blake, White River National Forest Service Acting Public Affairs Officer, at 970-200-6195.