Araphao and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland Prescribed Fire: A Pathway to a Fire Resilient Landscape

Fuels management is an important part of the Forests and Grasslands. Fuels management is done to reduce wildfire risk to communities; improve and restore ecosystem health and diversity; and increase forest and watershed resilience and recovery when wildfires happen. Implementation of projects can include thinning and removal of trees and overgrown vegetation, typically followed by prescribed fire.

Prescribed Fire Type: Pile Burning

The USDA Forest Service burns piles of woody debris (slash) to reduce hazardous fuels. These piles are made from branches and limbs left after thinning or cutting of trees in the forest. Typically piles need to dry out for a year or two before they can be burned. Some piles may be left on the landscape for wildlife habitat benefits.

Conditions for Burning

Certain criteria must be met for piles to be burned, including wind for smoke dispersal, and snow or forecasted precipitation in the immediate burn area. These conditions are outlined in a burn plan that is thoroughly reviewed before implementation. The decision to light piles is made by managers daily based on site-specific weather forecasts and observations as well as staffing and resource availability.

Please Excuse Our Smoke

We understand that some fire seasons have prolonged impacts of smoke on communities. However, smoke from prescribed fires can be significantly less impactful than smoke from large wildfires. While inconvenient, smoke is a sign that important restoration work is taking place—making our forests healthier and communities safer. Smoke, flames, and glowing embers are often visible, and are a normal part of pile burning operations. This can be visible throughout the night from some locations. Smoke may remain in the area for short periods of time after a controlled burn. Best practices and weather conditions reduce the amount and effects of smoke on communities.

Prescribed fire smoke may affect your health, however, the degree and duration of impact can be managed during a planned burn, unlike an unplanned wildfire. All pile burns are conducted within the requirements of a smoke permit issued by the State Scan the QR code below to learn more about smoke.

Stay Informed

For more information on prescribed fire projects, Fire Adapted Communities, our Interactive Prescribed Fire Map and much more, point your smart phone camera at the QR Code to the right and follow us on Facebook and Twitter @usfsarp.

Fire Restrictions in Unincorporated Larimer County

Effective as of August 31, 2024, there are currently no fire restrictions for unicorporated Larimer County.

Fire restrictions Araphao and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (Nov 1, 2024) – Current and forecasted weather conditions have prompted officials on the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland to lift forest wide Stage 1 fire restrictions, effective immediately.

"The Forest Service coordinates closely with our county cooperators around fire restrictions," said fire prevention officer Charlie Reynar. "We analyze short and long term forecasts, measure fuel moisture in large and small vegetation, and track precipitation. We're seeing all the trends moving in the right direction with low potential for significant fires, shorter days, cooler temperatures and more precipitation in the forecast this weekend. We will continue to monitor and evaluate these conditions and will adjust if needed."

Boulder, Gilpin and Clear Creek counties remain in Stage 1 fire restrictions through this weekend and will re-evaluate next week. County fire restrictions can be enforced on National Forest lands.

"The lifting of Stage 1 Fire Restrictions on National Forest lands does not mean fire season is over. Potential exists for wildfires to start throughout the year," Reynar said. "Forest users must always act responsibly with anything that can cause a fire, at any time."

Campfires must be attended at all times and fully extinguished. Equipment that causes sparks must be appropriately maintained and managed to mitigate fire risk. Visit our wildfire prevention and safety page for more information.

Be sure to visit the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland Know Before You Go page for other useful information and to help plan your visit.