Summit County Open Space and Trails will conduct prescribed pile burns in cooperation with fire officials in various locations throughout the county in coming weeks, according to a news release.

Burning is expected to begin in November and continue throughout the winter at sites including the Mesa Cortina Open Space west of Silverthorne, Settler’s Creek Open Space east of Keystone and Bacon Lode Open Space east of Breckenridge.

Burn operations are expected to last a single day at each location, as weather and conditions allow. Smoke and flames will be visible during prescribed fire operations and piles may continue to smolder in the days following a prescribed burn.

The objective is to reduce hazardous fuels in and around the wildland-urban interface. Prescribed burning is the final phase of treatment for fuels reduction projects on lands owned by Summit County Open Space and the Town of Breckenridge.

Burning will be conducted only under specific guidelines and plans established by Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control. This includes having acceptable weather and fuel conditions to meet the objectives for safe and effective burning and adequate smoke dispersal, according to the release. 

The public is advised not to call 911 to report smoke from prescribed pile burning. Most smoke will dissipate during the day, but some may settle into the valleys at night.