Prescribed burn planned at Rifle Garfield County Airport

PRESS RELEASE
October 7, 2022

The Rifle/Garfield County Airport, in cooperation with the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) and the DFPC-Colorado Center of Excellence (COE), is conducting prescribed burning operations at the Rifle/Garfield County Airport early next week. Please do not call 911 to report smoke at the airport.

Burning will only be conducted under specific guidelines and plans established by the Division of Fire Prevention and Control, including having acceptable weather forecasts and fuels conditions that meet guidelines for safe and effective burning and adequate smoke dispersal. The previously planned date in September was unable to proceed due to an unexpected cold front, at which time it was determined the project would not meet the objectives as outlined in the burn plan.

The main objective of this prescribed burning project is to test the effectiveness of a fire suppressant called FS-01 on two piles. The plan is to burn two piles of brush and small juniper
trees that are specifically constructed to mimic the natural fuel beds found on the Western
Slope of Colorado, both in composition and structure.

The DFPC-Colorado Center of Excellence and Rifle/Garfield County Airport work closely with other agencies, such as the Colorado Air Pollution Control Division, Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control, and local authorities in developing and implementing any burning project.

Prescribed fire smoke may affect your health. For additional health-related information, visit
https://cdphe.colorado.gov/indoor-air-quality/wood-smoke-and-health or contact your doctor or health professional.