DENVER-The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) was conducting a prescribed burn prescribed burn
A prescribed burn is the controlled use of fire to restore wildlife habitat, reduce wildfire risk, or achieve other habitat management goals. We have been using prescribed burn techniques to improve species habitat since the 1930s.
Learn more about prescribed burn today at the Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge, about 3 miles south of Walden, Colorado, when the fire escaped containment lines and was declared a wildfire.
The prescribed burn was within prescription at the time of the escape and fire managers reacted quickly and implemented a contingency plan and followed escaped fire procedures; notifying local emergency agencies, mobilizing additional resources and ordering heavy air tankers and helicopters.
Firefighting aircraft staged at Rocky Mountain Airport responded quickly, assisting federal and Jackson County crews on the ground who we’re able to hold the fire along State Highway 14 and County Road 31. Two heavy air tankers, a single engine air tanker and heavy helicopter all made retardant drops on the fire.
There were no injuries, but unfortunately, one structure, a mobile home used only for storage and 2 two outbuildings were destroyed during the approximately 600 acre fire.
Fire managers followed the prescribed burn plan and had adequate contingency resources available on site.
The Service is working closely with the Jackson County Fire Department and will have crews on scene through the evening. Full containment is expected by 7:00 PM Saturday.
Additional Information can be found at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4645/
