See A Burning Ditch? Here's When Not To Worry

BOULDER, CO -- If conditions allow, on Wednesday, Dec. 12 Boulder County will begin a series of irrigation ditch and agricultural controlled burns that will last throughout the winter and spring. According to a press release from the county, irrigation ditches are burned to remove unwanted vegetation for improved water conveyance, nutrient cycling, and planting success. Scheduled burn dates are contingent on having ideal weather conditions — that includes sufficient relative humidity, fuel moisture, and low winds.

Smoke and flames may be visible for up to 72 hours, and there may be heavy smoke in the air near the burns. The county asks resident to not call 911, as a controlled burn is not an emergency. The areas will be monitored to ensure fires are completely out.

Here are the properties scheduled for burns this season:

• Jim Henry (N. 115th St. and Niwot Rd.)
• Table Mountain (N. 55th St. and Nelson Rd.)
• Gaynor Lake (N. 107th St. and Oxford Rd.)
• Wittemyer (N. 119th St. and Mineral Rd.)
• Gage (Crane Hollow Rd. and Hygiene Rd.)
• Pella Crossing (N. 75th St. and Hygiene Rd.)
• Mumford (N. 107th St. and Vermillion Rd.)
• Keyes North (N. 119th and Quicksilver Rd.)
• Lutz and Wambsganss (N. 119th St. and Niwot Rd.)
• Josephine Roche (N. 119th St. and Arapahoe Rd.)

Smoke from prescribed fires may affect health. The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment Wood Smoke and Health website and the Boulder County Public Health Wildfire Air Quality & Health website provide tips on how to protect health from smoke.

For additional information, contact Boulder County Parks & Open Space Senior Forester Stefan Reinold at 303-678-6202 or sreinold@bouldercounty.org. Updates will be posted to http://www.BoulderCountyOpenSpace.org/burns.

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Photo courtesy Boulder County Parks and Open Space