GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Smoke may be visible over the mesas this week, but officials say there’s no cause for alarm.

On Wednesday, fire crews from the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests (GMUG) ignited a prescribed burn covering up to 1,000 acres in the Steamboat Rocks area of Mesa County, kicking off one of western Colorado’s most anticipated seasonal fire mitigation efforts.

The burn, located near Land’s End Road and Forest System Road #101, is designed to reduce the buildup of dense vegetation — or “fuel load” — that can turn routine summer wildfires into catastrophic blazes.

“This is about protecting the forest before it burns uncontrollably,” said Mary Jo Lawson, Fire Management Officer for the GMUG National Forests. “We’re treating this now, under ideal conditions, so we don’t have to fight it later when conditions are extreme.”

A Fire That’s Meant to Happen

Prescribed burns — also known as controlled burns — are carefully planned and executed by trained wildland firefighters. Crews use fire to safely clear out underbrush, dead trees, and invasive grasses that accumulate over years of fire suppression and drought.

In the Steamboat Rocks area, those conditions have been building steadily.

“Many areas in this forest haven’t burned in decades,” Lawson explained. “That’s dangerous for residents and ecosystems alike.”

By reducing flammable material, fire officials hope to:

• Lower the risk of severe wildfires near the Grand Junction municipal watershed

• Rejuvenate the land and encourage native grasses and plants to grow

• Improve habitat for deer, elk, and other wildlife that rely on open forests

Smoke on the Slope

As expected, the burn operation is producing visible smoke across parts of the Western Slope, including the Grand Valley and Unaweep Canyon. The Forest Service has warned residents that smoke may linger in the area for several days.

While the burn poses no immediate danger to homes or infrastructure, smoke-sensitive individuals are encouraged to:

• Avoid outdoor activity in the afternoons when smoke settles

• Close windows and doors to limit indoor air exposure

• Use HEPA filters if available

“We know it’s inconvenient,” said Lawson, “but it’s far better than weeks of choking wildfire smoke in July or August.”

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is monitoring air quality and has not issued any advisories at this time.

Timing Is Everything

Prescribed burns are only allowed under a narrow range of conditions that balance humidity, wind speed, fuel moisture, and crew availability. If any of those variables change too dramatically, the operation can be delayed — or canceled altogether.

“This window we have right now is gold,” said crew supervisor Jason Ortega. “We’ve got low winds, cool nights, and high enough humidity to keep things predictable.”

More than two dozen personnel are working the Steamboat Rocks burn, including fire engines, hand crews, and aerial support on standby. The operation is expected to take several days.

Once the ignition phase is complete, crews will monitor the area for weeks, using drones, cameras, and foot patrols to ensure the fire remains contained.

Community Support Grows After Wildfire-Filled Decade

Western Colorado residents have grown more familiar — and supportive — of controlled burns in recent years, especially after multiple record-setting wildfires scorched thousands of acres across the Rockies in the 2020s.

“The Pine Gulch Fire was a wake-up call for a lot of us,” said Mesa County resident George Harlan, referring to the 2020 blaze that burned over 139,000 acres north of Grand Junction. “If lighting a fire now means preventing a monster one later, I’m all for it.”

Public education efforts — including town halls, signage, and social media campaigns — have helped improve transparency around when, where, and why these burns occur.

Looking Ahead: More Burns This Spring

The Steamboat Rocks operation is part of a broader spring burn strategy for the GMUG National Forests, which manage more than 3 million acres across western Colorado.

Additional prescribed burns are planned in:

• Montrose County

• Delta County

• Gunnison County

Exact dates and locations depend on weather conditions and resource availability, but forest officials say they are hopeful this spring will allow them to make a significant dent in the region’s wildfire vulnerability.

“This is long-term work,” Lawson said. “But it’s essential if we want to keep our forests — and our communities — healthy for the next generation.”