Boulder County, Colo. - Boulder County Parks & Open Space and the Sheriff’s Office Wildland Fire Management Program plan to conduct a prescribed burn at Ron Stewart Preserve at Rabbit Mountain on Thurs., Feb. 28, weather permitting.

Fire crews plan to conduct a 35-acre grass fire in the South Dowe Flats project area. During this burn, Ron Stewart Preserve will remain open as it is a safe distance from any recreation area. See area map at www.BoulderCountyOpenSpace.org/burns. If time allows, fire operations will also burn the Howell Ditch on the Wittemyer property (N. 119th St. and Mineral Rd.) in the afternoon.

To determine if conditions are suitable for ignitions, fire managers assess fuel moisture levels and continuously monitor current and projected weather forecasts. Weather considerations include wind, temperature, relative humidity, and air quality. Conditions have to meet certain criteria in order for the prescribed burn to proceed. Fire personnel will stop burning if weather conditions change and do not allow for a safe operation (gusty winds), or the situation becomes unsafe. Weather and safety conditions are monitored constantly.

Smoke and flames may be visible for days to weeks following a prescribed burn. There may be heavy smoke in the air. Please do not call 911 since a prescribed burn is not an emergency. The areas will be monitored to ensure fires are completely out.

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

For additional information, contact Boulder County Parks & Open Space Senior Forester Stefan Reinold at 303-678-6202 or sreinold@bouldercounty.org. Updates will be posted to www.BoulderCountyOpenSpace.org/burns.