Parks & Open Space and the Sheriff’s Office Wildland Fire Management Program plan to conduct prescribed burns when conditions allow. Smoke and flames may be visible for up to 72 hours. There may be heavy smoke in the air. Please do not call 911 since a controlled burn is not an emergency. The areas will be monitored to ensure fires are completely out.
Prescribed Burn Projects
Slash Pile Burning
Winter 2022-23
Parks & Open Space and the Sheriff’s Office Fire Management Program plan to conduct slash pile burns at several locations this winter.
- Caribou Ranch – north of Nederland
- Mud Lake (Sherwood Gulch) – north of Nederland
- Reynolds Ranch – east of Nederland
- Walker Ranch – west of Boulder
There are approximately 400 wood piles total for all locations. The vast majority, 300+, are at Caribou Ranch and Sherwood Gulch.
Fire crews hope to burn piles when there is a winter weather system in the area. Operations will be conducted only when there is sufficient snow cover to ensure safe fire operations and containment. Pile burns are conducted to reduce the amount of fuel on the ground as a result of thinning operations.
Slash pile burns at Caribou Ranch and Sherwood Gulch will require closures. The Sherwood Gulch trails (Chickadee Trail and Sherwood Forest Trail), Caribou Ranch Link, and all of Caribou Ranch will be closed. Mud Lake will remain open. Park closures will not be required at Reynolds Ranch and Walker Ranch.
Irrigation Ditch Burning
Ongoing
Irrigation ditches are burned to remove unwanted vegetation for improving water conveyance, nutrient cycling, and planting success. Burns are contingent on ideal weather conditions, including relative humidity, fuel moisture, and wind. Smoke may be visible from Hwy. 52 and the E. County Line Rd. area.
Irrigation ditches and agricultural properties scheduled for controlled burns include:
- Jim Henry (N. 115th St. and Niwot Rd.)
- Gaynor Lake (N. 107th St. and Oxford Rd.)
- Wittemyer (E. County Line Rd. and Hwy 52/Mineral Rd.)
- Leggett Ditch (E. County Line Rd. and Oxford Rd.)
- Marfell Lakes & Josephine Roche (N. 119th St. and Arapahoe Rd.)
- Marlatt / Pella Crossing (N 75th St and Hygiene Rd.)
Prescribed Burns at Hall Ranch
Jan. 3 – April 15
Nelson Loop Prescribed Burn Project at Hall Ranch.
- Burn window set for Jan. 3 – April 15. Burns can occur any time during the window.
- Burn operations are usually scheduled for one to three consecutive days.
- Property will be closed during ignition days. Park will reopen when deemed safe and if not otherwise closed due to muddy conditions.
- Burn Area Map
Email & Text Alerts
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