Pile burning is a type of prescribed fire that helps remove woody debris from the forests, reducing the potential of more impactful, unplanned fire activity at other times of the year. Pile burning helps eliminate branches, limbs, twigs and small logs that can’t easily be removed through other means due to topography, access or cost feasibility. Pile burning typically follows forest thinning projects in overgrown forests. If heavy machinery was used to conduct the thinning, the piles may be much larger than if thinning and piling was completed by hand using chainsaws. 

Before burning piles, fire managers track hyper-localized weather forecasts to check temperatures, snowpack conditions and wind. Snow and cooler temperatures are key tools in helping contain fire behavior while wind is an important factor in aiding smoke dispersal. Firefighters use air quality monitoring stations in areas where they plan on burning. Once burning has begun, firefighters patrol and monitor burned piles until there is no longer any heat emitted. 

Smoky conditions during the active periods of pile burning are expected. Yet, unlike an unplanned wildfire, the degree and duration of smoke in the air are monitored and managed by firefighters. Fire managers work with the Colorado Air Pollution Control Division to reduce the impacts of smoke on the public. For more information on how fire smoke may affect your health, see the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment. 

This work is part of the National Wildfire Crisis Strategy effort to reduce the impacts of unplanned, large-scale fires on watersheds, wildlife habitat, recreation and communities. Fire is a natural and important part of a healthy Colorado ecosystem. With help from the Northern Colorado Fireshed Collaborative and our community partners, prescribed fire on the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and adjacent public and private lands are helping prepare our forests for unplanned fire when it happens. 

Specific locations where pile burning is planned, as well as more information and frequent updates, are posted on Inciweb. Explore our interactive map for project locations, active burning, and accomplishments. Sign up to receive a weekly email newsletter about pile burning projects in your area (select Forest Health and Fire for your zone). 

Pawnee National Grassland