The city of Longmont Parks & Natural Resources Department and the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office Fire Management Program have scheduled slash burns at Button Rock Preserve as early as mid-February.
The burns are conducted to reduce the amount of fuel on the ground after forest thinning operations, a news release stated. The burns could result in temporary closures of the preserve.
“Fire crews hope to burn when there is a winter weather system in the area. Operations will only be conducted when there is sufficient snow cover to ensure safe fire operations and containment,” according to the news release.
Locals could see smoke and flames in the area for days and even weeks following the burns. The area will be monitored until officials are sure the fires are completely extinguished. Officials ask the public not to call 911 for these slash pile burns as it is not an emergency.
Smoke from prescribed fires may affect health. Fire managers work with the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) to identify safe conditions to put smoke in the air. The CDPHE Wood Smoke and Health webpage and the Boulder County Public Health Wildfire Air Quality & Health webpage provide tips on how to protect health from smoke.
