Prescribed burning planned at Rifle Garfield County Airport this fall

PUBLIC NOTICE
Sept. 12, 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 airport. Burning operations will occur as weather conditions permit, and could begin in September and extend into the fall months. Please do not call 911 to report smoke at the airport.

Burning is only 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 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 online or contact your doctor or health professional.

Media/Public Information Contact:
DFPC Wildland Fire: Tracy LeClair (970) 841-9230
DFPC Center of Excellence: Caley Pruitt: 720-391-1565
Rifle/Garfield County Airport: Brian Condie (970) 625-1091 x4118