Denver Residents Should Prepare For Smoke As Rocky Mountain Arsenal Begins Spring Prescribed Burns
Heads up folks living in the Denver area, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was set to kick off prescribed burning activities at Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge on Monday, March 2nd, with operations set to occur between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily into April, weather permitting.
The agency intends to burn up to 1,997 acres over the next two months. Smoke will be visible for several miles from the refuge perimeter and may drift across the broader Denver metro area. Nearby residents should also expect to smell smoke during burn days.
Each burn is carefully coordinated with wildland firefighters and fire professionals, and specific criteria must be met before any ignition takes place. Crews evaluate weather and wind conditions and monitor local air quality against standards outlined in a formal burn plan that is reviewed thoroughly before each operation. All burns are conducted under a smoke permit issued by the State of Colorado.
The burns are designed to reinvigorate native prairie vegetation, reduce accumulated ground litter, support weed control efforts, and improve wildlife habitat. Additionally, prescribed fires are a proven strategy for lowering the risk of catastrophic wildfire in the region.
Fire crews from the FWS, local fire departments and other federal agencies will all participate in the burns.
Residents concerned about health impacts from smoke can visit the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment website for more information. Those with questions specific to the prescribed fire program can reach Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge directly at 303-289-0930.
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