Larkspur residents might have noticed smoke curling up from the Spruce Meadows Open Space today, but there's no cause for alarm. This sight is part of a controlled action meant to reduce fire hazard risks in the area. The prescribed burn, which began precisely at 10 a.m., is Douglas County's methodical tactic in wildfire management and ecological maintenance.
"The best time to prepare for a wildfire is long before one starts," said Michael Alexander, Douglas County Director of Emergency Management, according to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. This burn is essentially a practical exercise to both protect the community and to safely navigate the land we inhabit. With prescribed burns, officials fully intend to not only reduce the available fuel for wildfires but also to restore and maintain the natural ecosystem.
For those in proximity, Douglas County Emergency Management provided a rundown of what to expect today. The active burning was set to last around an hour, beginning from the 10 a.m. start time. Smoke was projected to be visible from communities including Larkspur, Perry Park, and Palmer Lake. While Spruce Mountain Road faced temporary closures, residents especially sensitive to smoke were advised to keep windows closed to minimize discomfort.
If observing smoke and flame today, Douglas County officials urged locals not to immediately call 911, as emergency crews would be closely monitoring the situation. However, in the case of spotting flames that appear to quickly move outside the designated burn area or any sign of an uncontrolled fire, contacting 911 was the advised course of action. For those wishing to stay updated on this and future events, the county encouraged signing up for text updates and following their social media pages.
