Pile burns planned for Rio Grande State Wildlife Area

John Livingston
Southwest Region Public Information Officer
970-759-9590 / [email protected]
@CPW_SW

MONTE VISTA, Colo. – Colorado Parks and Wildlife, in cooperation with the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control, will conduct prescribed pile burning operations at the Rio Grande State Wildlife Area during the months of January and February, as weather conditions allow.

Similar work has safely been completed on the property in previous winters. Piles have been created to remove debris and reduce hazardous fuel accumulation to help reduce the risk of larger wildfires and for public safety. The piles are burned in areas where other means of disposal are not feasible.
 
Smoke may be visible in the area and could persist for several days as fuels burn themselves out. Crews will be on scene to monitor the progress throughout the process. The public is reminded not to call 911 or other emergency services if smoke is visible from the burn areas.
 
CPW works closely with agencies such as the Colorado Air Pollution Control Division, Division of Fire Prevention and Control and local authorities in developing and implementing any burning project.
 
Prescribed fire smoke may affect your health. Additional information is available at https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health.
 
For more information, contact CPW District Wildlife Manager Tyler Cerny at 719-850-6363 or [email protected].
 
Rio Grande State Wildlife Area is a 935-acre property in Rio Grande County that offers good fishing and hunting opportunities. It is closed to public access Feb. 15 through July 15 to protect nesting and wintering bird populations.