COMMERCE CITY– Beginning Monday, March 2, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will begin prescribed burning activities on the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. Weather permitting, the burns will be conducted between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. The agency plans to burn up to 1,997 acres over the next two months. Smoke will be visible for several miles from the perimeter of the refuge and may be visible throughout the Denver metro area. People in the area may smell smoke as well.
Safety is the number one priority, and each burn is carefully planned with wildland firefighters and fire professionals to ensure the safety of the surrounding community, neighbors and firefighters. Certain criteria must be met for these units to be burned, including the ideal weather and wind conditions and tracking the air quality in the area. These criteria are outlined in a burn plan that is thoroughly reviewed before each implementation. All burns are conducted within the requirements of a smoke permit issued by the State of Colorado.
The prescribed burns reinvigorate the growth of native prairie vegetation, reduce accumulated litter, manage efforts for weed control and improve habitat to sustain wildlife. They are also an important tool land managers use to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire. Fire crews from FWS, local fire departments and other federal agencies will be participating in the prescribed burns.
More information is available on prescribed fire smoke and effects to your health on the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment website.
If you have questions about the prescribed fire program at Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, please call the refuge at 303-289-0930.
