Amended fire restrictions: Stage 1 fire restrictions in western Boulder County. Fire restrictions rescinded in eastern Boulder County.

News Archive

January 24, 2024

Media Contact
Vivienne Jannatpour, (303) 678-6277

Agriculture and Irrigation Ditch Burning Planned January 29 through April 30

There may be heavy smoke in the air. Please do not call 911 since these burns are not emergencies.

Boulder County, Colo. - Boulder County Parks & Open Space and the Sheriff’s Office Fire Management Program will begin agriculture and irrigation ditch burning next week. Controlled burns will be conducted as early as Monday, Jan. 29, through April 30.

Agriculture burning is done to remove vegetation to control weeds and prepare areas for reseeding. Irrigation ditches are burned to remove unwanted vegetation for improved water delivery, nutrient cycling, and planting success.

Burn projects depend on ideal weather conditions, including relative humidity, fuel moisture, and wind. Projects will only proceed when conditions are suitable. Fire managers will monitor all projects until they are called out.

Areas scheduled for controlled burns include:

  • Josephine Roche property (Arapahoe Rd. and 119th St.)
  • Gaynor Lake (1217 Fox Hill Rd.)
  • Pella Crossing (11420 N. 75th St.)
  • Wittemyer Ponds, Bailey-Kenosha Ponds, and Wheeler Ranch properties (12086 Mineral Rd.)
  • Walden Ponds Wildlife Habitat (3893 N. 75th St.)
  • Wambsganss property (12210 Niwot Rd.)
  • Leggett, Ertl, Dougherty, Piazza, Swanson, and Stromquist Farms properties (Hwy. 287, Niwot Rd, Prospect Rd., East Countyline Rd.)
  • Marfell Lakes and CMN – Fuhey properties (Arapahoe Rd. and 119th St.)
  • Burchfield property (115th St., Vermillion Rd., and Wasatch Rd.)
  • Doniphan property (115th St. and Lookout Rd.)
  • Alexander Dawson property (109th St. and Jasper Rd.)
  • Macy property (Hwy. 287 between Lookout Rd. and Hwy. 52)

There may be heavy smoke in the air. Please do not call 911 since these burns are not emergencies. The areas will be monitored to ensure fires are completely out.

Smoke from prescribed fires may affect your health. The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment Wood Smoke and Health webpage and the Boulder County Public Health Wildfire Air Quality & Health webpage provide tips on how to protect your health from smoke.

For additional information, contact Boulder County Parks & Open Space Forestry and Fire Group BCForestry@bouldercounty.gov. Updates will be posted to boco.org/prescribedburns.

Fire crews burn a ditch to improve water delivery