Forest Service Plans Prescribed Burns Near Dolores County, Expect Smoke
On November 19 KOTO reported that the Grand Mesa Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests announced a schedule of prescribed burns and pile burns to take place through the coming months, with locations and timing identified for several districts. The operations aim to reduce fuels and lower wildfire risk, and Dolores County residents should anticipate temporary closures and smoke impacts while checking local forest service advisories before traveling into the backcountry.
The Grand Mesa Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests told regional audiences on November 19 that they will carry out prescribed burns and pile burns across multiple districts through the coming months. Forest managers described the work as a fuel reduction effort designed to mitigate wildfire risk ahead of future fire seasons. The announced operations included both planned broadcast burns and burns of accumulated slash piles created by recent forest treatments, with specific locations and timing released by district offices.
Local impacts for Dolores County are practical and immediate. Many of the county recreation areas and access routes are regionally connected to GMUG planning, so hikers, hunters, anglers, off road users, and outfitters could encounter temporary trail or road closures. Residents and visitors may also experience intermittent smoke in valleys and along travel corridors during burn windows, and visibility and air quality may be affected. People with respiratory conditions, older adults, and young children should take precautions if smoke is present.
Forest staff advised that closures and advisories will vary by district and by weather conditions. Closure notices may apply to staging areas, trailheads, roads, and specific recreation sites while crews conduct burns and mop up. The agency encouraged local users to check district webpages and contact ranger stations for the latest closure maps and timing before heading into the backcountry. These steps can help avoid unexpected detours and ensure visitor safety while crews complete planned operations.
Economically and culturally the burns intersect with local uses of public lands. Businesses that serve outdoor recreation may need to adapt schedules or routes when closures are in effect. Ranchers and rural landowners who rely on forest access for grazing or wood supplies should confirm access status with their district office. Prescribed burning is a common tool used by land managers around the world to reduce wildfire danger and to restore some landscapes to lower fuel states, and in the GMUG the approach is part of a broader strategy to protect communities and infrastructure.
Weather and fuel conditions will determine the exact timing of many burns, so announcements may be adjusted at short notice. For Dolores County residents the key actions are simple. Check local forest service closures and advisories, plan alternative routes and recreation dates, and take steps to limit smoke exposure when advisories are in effect. Keeping informed will help residents and visitors coexist safely with the planned operations that aim to reduce the threat of larger wildfires down the line.
