By Shannon Lukens. Courtesy photos
An agriculture burn got out of control south of Milner Thursday evening. Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue was called to respond, when the winds got stronger and shifted, causing the burn to grow and get out of control. The owner called 911. Ten firefighters were on the scene to help put out the fire. It took about an hour.
The time frame for an open burn ends April 15. Here are the parameters that must be met.
- A permit with Routt County Environmental Health is required. 970-870-5588
- Burn piles must be less than 10’x10’x10’ and be devoid of trash/materials more suited for the landfill.
- There must be 6 INCHES or more of snow on the ground at and around the burn site.
- Burning must be started prior to 11am, always monitored and be out by sunset.
- Call Routt County Communications prior to starting the burn at 970-879-1110
- This burn season criteria only applies to the Steamboat Springs Area Fire Protection District. Contact other fire districts to obtain their requirements for open burning.
Press Release from the City of Steamboat Springs; April 11, 2025.
SSFR Responds To Wildfire on CR179 South of Milner
Spring Transitional Period Requires Extra Caution & Preparation
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO-April 11, 2025-Around 6:15pm last night, Thursday, April 10, Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue (SSFR) responded to a wildfire on CR179 just south of Milner for a burn that grew out of control.
The property owner was conducting an agricultural burn, as typical for this time year, when winds increased and shifted direction causing the burn to rapidly grow and get out of control. The property owner quickly called 911 for assistance.
SSFR responded with a Type 1 Structural Engine, a Water Tender and two Type 6 Wildland Engines. One of the Wildland Brush Engines and crew had been assisting the US Forest Service with the prescribed burn on Rabbit Ears, and after completing their day, were able to respond directly to this incident.
After about an hour, the ten firefighters on scene were able to control and put out the four-acre fire. The last unit cleared the area at 9:36pm. Crews will return this afternoon to check for any hot spots and confirmation that the fire is fully extinguished.
During the wildfire, a CPR call took place in a local restaurant. SSFR had one ambulance (crew of two) still in service that was able to respond. Several additional personnel responded from home to assist, and West Routt Fire sent an ambulance to Steamboat Springs to provide coverage while these calls were in progress.
“We’re seeing an early melt off of snow and without much greened up yet, the spring transitional timeframe requires extra caution and preparation as burns can change rapidly,” said Deputy Fire Chief Joe Oakland. “The property owner did the right thing by calling for help quickly and we were able to extinguish the fire before it significantly grew.”
SSFR wants to make individuals interested in burning aware of several key parameters that must be met prior to an open burn, which ends April 15:
- A permit with Routt County Environmental Health is required. 970-870-5588
- Burn piles must be less than 10’x10’x10’ and be devoid of trash/materials more suited for the landfill.
- There must be 6 INCHES or more of snow on the ground at and around the burn site.
- Burning must be started prior to 11am, always monitored and be out by sunset.
- Call Routt County Communications prior to starting the burn at 970-879-1110
- This burn season criteria only applies to the Steamboat Springs Area Fire Protection District. Contact other fire districts to obtain their requirements for open burning.
Always observe fire safety guidelines and check the National Weather Service Fire Weather for local fire weather forecasts. Contact Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue at 970-879-7170 with questions.
