Controlled burn blown out of control by gust of wind

Boulder County, Colo. - On Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at approximately 2:54pm, Boulder County Communications received a 911 call regarding a permitted “controlled burn” that had gotten out of control. The controlled burn was initiated on a leased Boulder County Parks and Open Space property in the 14000 block of North 115th Street in unincorporated Boulder County, north of Longmont.The fire then spread to a neighboring privately-owned property.

The fire burned an estimated 50 acres, as well as some fencing and a couple of duck blinds. No residences were threatened and no injuries were reported. The fire produced a large plume of black smoke due to dried cattails that burned.

Personnel from the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, Mountain View Fire, and Berthoud Fire responded to the scene. Additionally, a Trooper with the Colorado State Patrol helped with traffic direction in the area of the fire.

The individual conducting the controlled burn seems to have done everything properly—notifying the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office of the controlled burn and obtaining the proper permissions beforehand; building a berm and digging a fire line around the fire; and calling 911 immediately when the fire became out of control.

At this time, the investigation is ongoing but it appears that a gust of wind caught the fire and caused it to jump the fire line. The fire was extinguished by approximately 5:23pm.

The associated case number for this incident is 17-7330.

Information about obtaining burn permits and related ordinances can be found on our website, at: https://bouldercounty.gov/safety/fire/burn-permits/.

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/s/ Sergeant Clay Leak