USFS South Platte Ranger District Prescribed Burning 2021-22 Season

Prescribed Burning for Areas in Jefferson Counties
Posted on: October 19, 2021

Forest Service News Release

CONIFER, Colo., October 15, 2021— As part of the ongoing hazardous fuels reduction project, the South Platte Ranger District will conduct prescribed burns in the Noddles project area of Douglas County and the Sand Springs area in Jefferson County, beginning in mid-October and continuing through December 2021, conditions permitting.

The Sand Springs project area in Jefferson County is located at the junction of County Road 126 and Forest Service Road 550. The Noddles project area in Douglas County is located along County Road 67, near the community of Sprucewood, Colorado. For both firefighter and public safety, forest visitors can expect recurring closures to affected areas during fire and monitoring operations.

“The use of prescribed fire is an important part of forest management and this project will efficiently reduce hazardous fuels as well as improve the overall health of the forest,” said South Platte District Ranger Brian Banks. “It is important that we conduct these fuels reduction projects when conditions are conducive in order to enhance public and firefighter safety.”

To facilitate burning, each of the selected areas have been prepared in advance to ensure safe fire operations. These prescribed burns will help reduce the heavy fuel loading that poses a safety threat to the recreating public and firefighters suppressing wildfires in the area. Ignitions will occur only when weather and fuel conditions meet established prescriptions and when smoke impacts can be managed within established requirements.

Ignition and burning operations may continue for several days depending on the size of area being burned. Smoke is a natural byproduct of fire and some amounts are unavoidable. However, fire managers and prescribed fire specialists look carefully at the proximity of communities and determine the least amount of smoke impact to the public during prescribed burning. Expect smoke to be visible from Conifer, Colorado, as well as areas along the Front Range, including Denver.

Smoke may also linger over the burn areas for a few days following initial ignitions. For more information on smoke, please visit: www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health . Follow @PSICC_NF on Twitter for up-to-date information. If you would like to sign up to be notified via email prior to implementation of prescribed fires on the South Platte Ranger District, please complete the form located here: bit.ly/3aGWC7o
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From the USFS:
The US Forest Service, Pike and San Isabel National Forests, Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands, South Platte Ranger District is planning on starting ignitions of the Sand Springs Prescribed Burn, at 1100 hrs. on 10/20/2021, depending on conditions.
Please see attached map for exact location of the project.
Test fire should start around 1100 hrs.
Smoke maybe visible throughout the day in the area.

From USFS:

Good Morning Everyone,

Due to a cold front bringing cooler air to the surface and warmer air a loft we have experienced our ventilation heights dramatically dropping and making our smoke dispersal rating poor. With that rating we cannot burn complying with the burn plan and smoke permits. The Sand Springs Prescribe Burn has been postponed until further notice.

The US Forest Service, Pike and San Isabel National Forests, Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands, South Platte Ranger District is planning on starting ignitions of the Sand Springs Prescribed Burn, at 1100 hrs. on 10/25/2021, depending on conditions over the weekend.

Test fire should start around 1100 hrs.

Smoke maybe visible throughout the day in the area.

USFS_Pike&San Isabel @PSICC_NF 8m
Crews making good progress on the #SandSpringsRX. The project is treating the fuels to reduce fire behavior, decrease the effects of wildfire to surrounding communities, watershed, infrastructure improvements and forest resources. #SouthPlatteRD
Video on Twitter

ICFPD @ICFPD 38m
Work continues on the #SandSpringsRX prescribed fire.

USFS_Pike&San Isabel @PSICC_NF 2h
All lighting on the #SandSpringsRX has been completed. A total of 31 acres were treated today. Crews will continue to patrol the area throughout the evening. Smoke will be visible in the area and on HWY 126 as the heavy logs continue to consume on the interior of the burn area.

The US Forest Service, Pike and San Isabel National Forests, Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands, South Platte Ranger District is planning on starting ignitions of the Sand Springs Prescribed Burn, at 1100 hrs. on 10/28/2021, depending on conditions tonight and tomorrow.

Test fire should start around 1100 hrs.

Smoke maybe visible throughout the day in the area.

USFS_Pike&San Isabel @PSICC_NF 1hr
Crews are attending the morning briefing for the #SandSpringsRX on the #SouthPlatteRD. Weather conditions on site & forecasted are looking favorable for the planned prescribed burn.


Jeffcom911co @jeffcom911co 1h
Alert: The USFS will be conducting a controlled burn TODAY in the Buffalo Creek area of #JeffCo. Smoke will be visible from Conifer as well as areas along the Front Range.


Jeffco Sheriff @jeffcosheriffco 4h
Controlled burn FireTODAY (10/28) for #BuffaloCreek area at junction HWY 126 & FSR 550. Forest visitors can expect recurring closures to areas during fire & monitoring operations. @PSICC_NF
anticipates high smoke visibility. #Jeffco www.jeffco.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1709

USFS_Pike&San Isabel @PSICC_NF 22m
#SandSpringsRX test fire is successful. Crews will continue with firing operation. Smoke is visible from FSR 550 / Highway 126 on #SouthPlatteRD. Crews along road, drive with caution.

Curt Rogers @nffpd1 25m
Operations normal on the #sandspringsrx

USFS_Pike&San Isabel @PSICC_NF 23m
District Ranger for #SouthPlatteRD is at #SandSpringsRX. He reports good wind, smoke dispersion, fuel consumption. Firing operations plan to end at 4PM.
Video on Twitter

USFS_Pike&San Isabel @PSICC_NF 50m
On the #SandSpringsRX a wind shift temporarily pushed smoke over Highway 126 on the #SouthPlatteRD. Crews working along road with flashing lights. Slow down & drive with caution.