The U.S. Forest Service is conducting some prescribed burns sometime this spring, in the areas of McKinnis and Harrison Creek. That’s on Hwy 40 on the Western boundary of Routt National Forest, which is the Steamboat Springs side of Rabbit Ears Pass. The forest service plans to burn about 300 acres but only when weather conditions are perfect. The forest service will be coordinating with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, CDOT, and Routt County on the project.
More details are below.
Courtesy photo
Press Release U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Department of Agriculture; April 2, 2025.
Forest Service News Release
USDA Forest Service to conduct prescribed burning near Steamboat Springs
The individual treatment units are in the McKinnis and Harrison Creek areas.
(STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo.) April 2, 2025 – Routt National Forest fire/fuels staff are planning to conduct multiple prescribed burns in Routt County, Colo., near Steamboat Springs, this spring. Suitable weather and fuel moisture conditions will determine the exact dates for burning.
Day-of notification will occur on the Forest’s social media channels: @FS_MBRTB on X or @FSMBRTB on Facebook.
Burn unit locations are on National Forest System lands, in the McKinnis and Harrison Creek areas, near U.S. Highway 40 on the western Routt National Forest boundary of Rabbit Ears Pass. Multiple benefits of the burns include reducing the threat of wildfire to nearby communities and structures, as well as improving wildlife habitat by regenerating shrubs and aspen.
This year’s burning will treat approximately 300 acres, the same units the Forest hoped to treat last year but did not get a burn window. Mastication work and prescribed fire as part of the larger, multi-year Steamboat Front Hazardous Fuel Reduction Project was accomplished in 2017-19 and 2022.
These prescribed fires are planned at a time of year when weather and fuel conditions are not hazardous. Snow, wet drainages, and lower temperatures help the Forest Service target and manage the treatment areas.
Implementing the treatments at a lower-use time of year helps reduce impact to forest visitors. The Forest Service is coordinating with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, CDOT and Routt County on this project.
Staff will primarily use ground ignitions to carry out the burning, and there is the possibility that unmanned aircraft systems (UAS or drones) could be utilized. Public flying of UAS is prohibited in the burn unit airspace.
Multiple days will likely be needed to complete implementation. Operations will not commence unless conditions are favorable for safe and effective burns.
Burn units are comprised of mountain shrubs, grasses and aspen. While smoke will likely be visible from some areas during burning operations, including Highway 40, it should subside in the evening. Pending weather conditions, smoke may settle in surrounding low-lying areas at night. Forest Service fire crews will monitor burned areas following operations until the fire is safely out.
Necessary smoke permits have been obtained from the State of Colorado. Each prescribed burn planned by the Forest has gone through an environmental analysis and has a detailed burn plan developed in advance.
Prescribed burning is a versatile forest management tool that can mimic historically natural fire disturbances, improve habitat for a variety of wildlife, and reduce hazardous fuels buildup. Minimal and managed smoke from prescribed fires now helps prevent the potential for more unpredictable and hazardous wildfire smoke in the future.
The purpose of the Steamboat Front project is to reduce hazardous fuels adjacent to Steamboat Springs in the wildland urban interface (WUI) through management of forest vegetation; and to improve deer and elk winter range habitat through habitat and recreational use management.
Prescribed fire smoke may affect your health. For more information see: www.colorado.gov/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health.
For more project information contact Fuels Specialist Lance Broyles, (970) 629-2524, or Hahns Peak/Bears Ears District Ranger Michael Woodbridge, (970) 870-2149. Information about prescribed fire can be found on our website or social media channels.
-USDA-