Sites to be treated include Reynolds Ranch, Caribou Ranch, Mud Lake (Sherwood Gulch), and Hall Ranch.

Boulder County, Colo. - Boulder County Parks & Open Space and the Sheriff’s Office Fire Management Program plan to conduct slash pile burns at Caribou Ranch and Mud Lake/Sherwood Gulch (north of Nederland); Reynolds Ranch (east of Nederland); and Hall Ranch (west of Lyons) as conditions allow this winter. These burns may require park closures and may begin as early as this weekend.

Pile burns are conducted to reduce the amount of fuel on the ground as a result of forest thinning operations. Fire crews hope to burn when there is a winter weather system in the area. Operations will only be conducted when there is sufficient snow cover to ensure safe fire operations and containment.

Smoke and flames may be visible during and days to weeks following slash pile burns. The area will be continuously monitored to ensure fires are completely out. Residents are asked to not call 911 since a prescribed burn is not an emergency.

Smoke from prescribed fires may affect health. Fire managers work with the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) to identify safe conditions to put smoke in the air. The CDPHE Wood Smoke and Health webpage and the Boulder County Public Health Wildfire Air Quality & Health webpage provide tips on how to protect health from smoke.

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