News Release
BLM Colorado, Southwest District, Tres Rios Field Office
Media Contact: Robert Potts 970-240-5430
September 2025
Tres Rios Field Office plans multiple prescribed burns Fall 2025.
DOLORES, Colo- The Bureau of Land Management Tres Rios Field Office will be initiating multiple prescribed burns this fall, September -October. These prescribed burn units include 370 acres along the West Rim of the Dolores River, northeast of Dove Creek and 552 acres at Rabbit Mountain, northwest of Bayfield.
Prescribed fire is an important tool for active vegetation management and the reduction of wildfire risk. Prescribed fire mimics natural processes under appropriate weather and vegetative conditions, which improves forage for wildlife, increases plant diversity by creating breaks in the understory where native grasses and forbs can thrive, and effectively reduces hazardous vegetation while enhancing woodland health. Specific timing of the operation will depend on favorable weather and fuel moisture conditions. Crews will be on site for the duration of the burn. Smoke will be visible throughout the day of the burn, mostly during the warmest part of the day. With cooler temperatures in the evening, smoke may linger and accumulate in low-lying areas. Firefighters will be on site throughout the day of ignition and will periodically patrol the burns for several days afterward.
Prescribed fire smoke may affect your health. For more information, please visit the Colorado Air Pollution Control Division’s website at https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health.
Updates on the West Rim and Rabbit Mountain prescribed burns will be available on the @BLM- Southwest Colorado Fire and Aviation Management Unit https://www.facebook.com/BLMMontroseFireUnitpage and Iniciweb.wildfire.gov. For general information, contact John Wroblewski, Southwest District Fire Mitigation Specialist, at (970) 240-5335.
For updated information for the upcoming West Rim prescribed burn, you may visit here.
-BLM-
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.
