Steamboat Front prescribed fire planned by Routt National Forest

(Steamboat Springs, CO) – The Routt National Forest is planning prescribed fire operations this spring in the Steamboat Front project area, Routt County, pending all required approvals. This work aligns with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service national priority of hazardous fuels reduction.

Ignitions on approximately 200 acres could occur as soon as weather and fuel conditions align, possibly within the week. The Forest Service uses prescribed fire to reduce overgrown vegetation, helping protect local communities, infrastructure, and natural resources from wildfires.

Burn unit locations are on National Forest System lands south of Steamboat Springs, in the Harrison Creek area, near U.S. Highway 40 on the western Routt National Forest boundary of Rabbit Ears Pass.

There is the possibility that unmanned aircraft systems (UAS or drones) may be utilized for burning. Public flying of UAS is prohibited in the burn unit airspace.

Smoke will be visible to the public from U.S. Highway 40 and Colorado Highway 131. The public is requested to not report the prescribed fire, as first responders and dispatch will be aware of the operations. On-the-ground signage is often placed on adjacent roads for public notification.

This year’s burning will follow-up on successful treatment of approximately 300 acres last year in the same area. Mastication work and prescribed fire as part of the larger, multi-year Steamboat Front Hazardous Fuel Reduction Project was accomplished in 2017-19, 2022 and 2025. The Forest Service is coordinating with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, CDOT and Routt County on this project.

This prescribed fire is planned at a time of year when weather and fuel conditions are not hazardous. Snow, wet drainages, and lower temperatures help the Forest Service target and manage the treatment areas.

Forest users and the public may experience smoke during the prescribed burns. For more detailed information about air quality, go to AirNow online or download the app. Smoke from all prescribed fires is closely monitored to ensure that conditions for smoke dispersal, developed in collaboration with the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment, are met. When driving, slow down and turn on your headlights when you encounter smoke on the road.

Prescribed fire smoke may affect your health. For more information, visit ‘Wood smoke and your health’.

Prescribed burning is a versatile forest management tool that can mimic historically natural fire disturbances, improve habitat for a variety of wildlife, and reduce hazardous fuels buildup. Minimal and managed smoke from prescribed fires now helps prevent the potential for more unpredictable and hazardous wildfire smoke in the future.

The purpose of the Steamboat Front project is to reduce hazardous fuels adjacent to Steamboat Springs in the wildland urban interface (WUI) through management of forest vegetation; and to improve deer and elk winter range habitat through habitat and recreational use management.

Suitable weather and fuel moisture will determine the exact date of the burns. Operations will not commence unless conditions are favorable to implement safe and effective burns. Weather conditions will be evaluated in the days and hours before a burn begins. If conditions warrant, scheduled prescribed fire activities may be canceled.

Broad public notification of site-specific burning will occur on the Forests’ X and Facebook accounts. Additional information may be found on our website. County emergency management officials will be notified when burning begins. For more project information contact Fuels Specialist Lance Broyles, (970) 629-2524, or Hahns Peak/Bears Ears District Ranger Michael Woodbridge, (970) 870-2149.