The fires are burning in coal mines from the 1920s and 30s, underneath Menefee Mountain, and were started by 2012’s Weber Fire, according to the Cortez Journal.
Coal is currently simmering in four coal-mine refuse piles and three natural coal seams. None of them have open flames but the smoldering coal releases small streams of smoke and can heat the surface up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Cortez Journal said the officials believe the coal burns could be a concern as fire season approaches and are planning a program to extinguish them.
If left to burn the smoldering coal could ignite another fire, or weaken the ground, causing a hazard to hikers.
"The potential that they could ignite vegetation and start another wildfire is there," DRMS mine safety specialist Kirstin Brown told the Cortez Journal.
"The other reason to put them out is they could propagate along the coal seam and start the actual mine on fire,” Brown added.
Brown said there are 34 coal fires burning in the state and they can smolder for decades, with one blamed for starting a 2002 wildfire in the area.
The extinguishing program is expected to cost $200,000 and will involve the use of excavators to dig up the smoldering coal, which will then be treated with a special fire retardant.
