For Release: Immediate
Contact: Tessy Shirakawa
Phone: 970-529-4628

Mesa Verde National Park to Burn Brush Pile

The park’s fire management staff will burn a large brush pile on Chapin Mesa in early February when weather conditions permit.

The purpose of the burn is to safely consume piles of pinyon pine, sagebrush, and juniper trees that were removed from around park structures, near archeological resources, and along park roads as part of an ongoing National Park Service Hazard Fuel Reduction Plan. The brush pile is located approximately one-half mile north of park headquarters on Chapin Mesa.

Section 106 and the National Environmental Preservation Act compliance for this project have been approved through the National Park Service Intermountain Regional Office and the Colorado State Historical Preservation Office. The Colorado Air Pollution Control Division of the Department of Public Health and Environment has also approved the burn permit for this project.

The burn will only occur when specific weather conditions exist to insure safety and a minimum of smoke. The park wants to take advantage of the current snow cover surrounding the brush piles. When the weather conditions meet the prescription, the piles will be ignited during the morning and should be completely burned down by sunset. Smoke from the fires might be seen from outside the park, and at times, smoke may drift across roads in the park headquarters/museum loop area. Smoke from residual smoldering may continue for several days.

For more information, please contact the park’s acting Fire Management Officer, Scott McDermid, at (970) 529-5043.

~ NPS ~