Cortez Fire Protection District in cooperation with private landowners, will be preforming prescribed pile burns across the district over the next few months.
CFPD is committed to reducing the risk of wildfire by creating fire-resilient landscapes which help provide for public and firefighter safety during wildfire season. Removal of hazardous fuels benefits the landscape, private property, and the community.
Conditions are evaluated each day to determine if ignition will take place. Ignitions are generally expected to begin after 10 a.m. and will cease several hours before sunset.
Smoke may be visible. Precipitation, wind, temperature, fuel moisture and staffing all play a part determining when and whether ignition occurs.
Firefighters and landowners monitor the area after burning is complete. Public and firefighter safety is always the number-one priority in burning operations.
Wind helps disperse smoke created during pile burning operations and snow helps keep the piles contained. Seeing flames and smoke, even after dark, is part of normal operations. This reduces fuels on the landscape and promotes the safest conditions.
Smoke may be visible in the area both during and after the burn operations. The public should avoid the burn area for the duration of the burn.
Smoke will be most visible during the warmest part of the day. With cooler temperatures in the evening, smoke may linger and accumulate in low-lying areas. CFPD has developed a plan for each operation and has obtained smoke permits from the state for the planned burn.
Prescribed fire smoke may affect health. For more information, visit www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health and www.purpleair.com.