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Fire officials plan controlled burns throughout Summit County this week

The U.S. Forest Service and the town of Breckenridge are among the agencies helping with the slash pile burns

Slash piles burning on Swan Mountain in November 2018.
Dillon Ranger District/Courtesy photo

Local fire officials intend to burn slash piles in multiple locations in Summit County this week, according to news releases from the town of Breckenridge and U.S. Forest Service.

The pile burns are expected on open space on Airport Road in Breckenridge, with ignitions starting around 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4, and near Ophir Mountain, with ignitions expected around 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5, and Thursday, Feb. 6.

Smoke and flames may be visible from Interstate 70, Colorado Highway 9, Breckenridge, Silverthorne, Dillon, Frisco and surrounding areas. People are asked not to call 911 to report smoke or flames associated with the pile burns.



Most of the smoke is expected to dissipate during the day, but some may settle into the valleys at night. If conditions are favorable, piles will be allowed to burn and smolder overnight, unattended. Fire management personnel will be on scene during the day to monitor potential smoke impacts and fuel consumption.

Ventilation rates are forecast to be highly favorable throughout the week, which helps to limit smoke impacts to the community, the news release states. Monitoring will also take place periodically over the next few days until the piles are out.



The purpose of the pile burning is to help reduce fuel loading that occurred during hazardous tree and wildfire hazard fuels reduction.

Smoke from prescribed fires has the potential to impact human health. For additional information visit CDPHE.Colorado.gov/indoor-air-quality/wood-smoke-and-health. Smoke sensitive individuals can contact AlexS@TownOfBreckenridge.com or call 970-547-4318 to receive future notifications.


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