Boulder County Parks & Open Space and the Sheriff's Office Fire Management Program plan to conduct prescribed burns on county open space lands this fall, winter, and spring, according to officials. Burn projects depend on weather conditions, including relative humidity, fuel moisture, and wind, and will only proceed when conditions are suitable.
The first prescribed burn operations will begin west of Lagerman Reservoir on Wednesday, Sept. 16, if conditions allow. The operation is designed to remove vegetation from a ditch on the west side of the reservoir to improve water conveyance. Operations should begin by 11 a.m. and will last for a few hours. No property or trail closures are planned.
Slash pile burns will be conducted at Hall Ranch west of Lyons, Overland northwest of Jamestown, Riverside Ranch south of Ralph Price Reservoir, Reynolds Ranch southeast of Nederland, and Sherwood Gulch north of Nederland. These burns reduce fuel resulting from forestry operations and will only occur when there is sufficient snow cover.
Agriculture field and irrigation ditch burns will take place at multiple locations including Wheeler in Erie, Cushman in Longmont, Fairgrounds in Longmont, Marfell Lakes in Lafayette, and Wambsganss in Erie. Smoke and flames will be visible during operations. The area will be continuously monitored to ensure fires are completely out.
Residents should not call 911 about prescribed burns, as they are not emergencies. For health information related to smoke from prescribed fires, the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment Wood Smoke and Health webpage provides guidance.