Pile burnings expected at Ophir Mountain near Breckenridge
Smoke and flames may be visible from Interstate 70, Colorado Highway 9, Breckenridge, Silverthorne, Dillon, Frisco and surrounding areas
Dillon Ranger District/Courtesy photo
Local fire officials intend to burn slash piles in Summit County this week, according to a news release from the U.S. Forest Service.
The pile burns are expected to take place at Ophir Mountain near Breckenridge beginning Tuesday, Feb. 11, with pile burns also occurring Thursday, Feb. 13, the news release states. Ignitions are expected to begin around 10 a.m.
Smoke and flames may be visible from Interstate 70, Colorado Highway 9, Breckenridge, Silverthorne, Dillon, Frisco and surrounding areas. People are asked not to call 911 to report smoke or flames associated with the pile burns.
Most of the smoke is expected to dissipate during the day, but some may settle into the valleys at night.
The purpose of the pile burning is to help reduce fuel loading that occurred during hazardous tree and wildfire hazard fuels reduction.
Smoke from prescribed fires has the potential to impact human health. For additional information visit CDPHE.Colorado.gov/indoor-air-quality/wood-smoke-and-health. To receive day-of notification of prescribed burn activities sign up for Summit County Alert at TinyURL.com/SummitCountyAlert.
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