Aspen heads into prescribed burn with ‘abnormally dry conditions,’ National Weather Service says

The U.S. Forest Service is preparing for a 900-acre prescribed burn on the south face of Red Mountain in Aspen as soon as mid-April, depending on weather and fuel conditions. 

Known as the Sunnyside Prescribed Fire, the project is designed to reduce hazardous fuels, restore forest health, and improve habitat for elk and mule deer in an area that is long overdue for fire.

The burn comes as the Roaring Fork Valley enters spring under abnormally dry conditions. According to the National Weather Service office in Grand Junction, the region is currently classified as D0 on the drought monitor — an “abnormally dry” status not yet considered drought. D4, the monitor’s highest drought classification, means “exceptional drought.” 

Snowpack in the valley is at 95% of average, better than many areas across the state. In contrast, the San Juan River Basin sits at just 81% of average and is expected to face more significant drought, along with the Four Corners region.

Meteorologist Tom Renwick said the D0 rating is a recent development after a dry March — something that might persist into the summer. 

“A lot of Pitkin County is in D0, which is considered abnormally dry, which is pretty good overall,” he said. “Considering that D4 is an exceptional drought, D0 is very good news.”

He noted that most of Colorado had no drought just a few months ago, but the region could be heading into a warmer, drier summer. 

“Aspen is expected to be below the average precipitation for the summer, but the chances of having warmer than normal temperatures are right at 50%,” Renwick said. “It’s really going to depend on how things play out and how the monsoon rains impact the area, which normally comes in August.” 

He cautioned that long-range forecasts should be taken with a “grain of salt.”

As fire danger increases with summer approaching, Aspen is relying on additional tools to support early detection and response. The city was the first in Colorado to install Pano AI wildfire detection cameras, originally funded by a private donation. The network has since expanded to include eight cameras reaching as far as Glenwood Springs.

“Pano’s AI wildfire detection cameras add another layer of security, capable of identifying fires within seconds,” said Aspen Fire Deputy Chief Jake Andersen during a December interview. 

He emphasized the camera’s role in accelerating response. 

“These cameras tell us fire behavior, rate of spread, values at risk, and so forth,” he said. “That can cut 20 to 30 minutes off our ordering time for aircraft.”

Andersen added that the system integrates with additional software to improve planning and response. 

“That software helped us create greater zones — not just around Aspen but around the county,” he said. “Ladris shows an evacuation model for passenger vehicle traffic, and Genasys refines it with detailed AI data.”

Red Mountain burn

The burn site contains aging aspen and mixed mountain shrub vegetation, which Colorado Parks and Wildlife identifies as critical forage for big game. Fire managers said the project will help mimic natural fire cycles, enhance habitat, and reduce the risk of large, high-intensity wildfires that threaten nearby communities.

While no exact date has been set, officials are targeting a 1- to 3-day window in mid-April. Ignition operations are expected to last 4 to 6 hours per day, with crews remaining on-site for containment and monitoring. Two control lines completed in November 2024 are designed to keep the fire within established boundaries. The burn is only planned within the Sunnyside fire and the eastern containment zone, where they already dug a fire line to prevent the fire from spreading.

The goal is to keep the fire within its designated footprint while minimizing smoke impacts on the community. A permit from the state’s Air Pollution Control Division has already been secured to address air quality concerns.

During the operation, residents may see smoke and flames from surrounding areas. The public is asked not to call 911 unless there is an actual emergency. While smoke is expected to lift during the day, it may settle into valley bottoms overnight. 

Individuals with smoke sensitivities can contact fire officials in advance for updates. Recreational trails within the burn area will be temporarily closed, and drones are strictly prohibited around fire operations due to the risk they pose to aerial resources and ground crews.

If weather conditions do not permit a safe ignition this spring, the operation will be postponed to 2026 or later. Updates will be posted on the White River National Forest website, Facebook page, PitkinAlert system, and the ReachWell app.