As we tiptoe into the precarious dance of man versus nature, Boulder County is set to wield fire as a tool for ecological management. According to Boulder County Parks & Open Space, in conjunction with the Sheriff’s Office Fire Management Program, prescribed burns are slated to continue as winter thaws into spring, up until April 15 to better the landscape, manage vegetation, and curtail the risk of wildfires.
In this delicate practice, humans try to carefully harness the flames to manage and to revitalize the land. On the docket for potential ignition today is the Leggitt Ditch area, adjacent to major roads and delineated by clear geographic markers. But as with all ventures that play with the foundational elements of earth, the burns are subject to the whims of the atmosphere. Weather conditions must be just right, with the right touch of humidity and wind, to proceed. To not make this move could mean missing an opportunity for strategic land management.
There’s a caveat, however, for locals who wander these open spaces. Potential closures could pop up, announced individually as needed, to ensure public safety during these fiery operations. And where there is fire, there is smoke, which can dance through the air and play havoc with health. Boulder County has directed concerned residents to check out the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment Wood Smoke and Health webpage, and Boulder County Public Health Wildfire Air Quality and Health webpage, for tips on how to mitigate the health impacts from smoke exposure.
