Simms Prescribed Fire Declared Wildfire Review 2022

On May 16, 2022, firefighters ignited a 188-acre prescribed fire on the Ouray Ranger District of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, Gunnison National Forest near Montrose, Colorado. The burn unit was within the wildland-urban interface (WUI) and directly adjacent to private land.  Mop up and patrol continued for the next three days, with smoldering and smoke production decreasing over time. On May 19, a forecasted cold front arrived. That afternoon, a wildfire became established adjacent to the burn unit on private land.  Ultimately, one primary residence and two other structures were destroyed, and 313 acres of private and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land outside of the unit were burned.

Escaped Prescribed Fire, Prescribed Fire, Structure Protection