BOULDER, Colo. – (Feb. 5, 2018)  U.S. Forest Service firefighters successfully burned more than 400 slash piles last week in the James Creek area.  Depending on conditions next week, burning will continue in the following areas:

• James Creek Units (1 mile northeast of Ward; also near intersection of Gold Hill Rd/Switzerland Trail)
• Lump Gulch (West Magnolia area, 1 mile southeast of high school)
• Sugarloaf (Ridge Road/U.S. Forest Service Administrative Site)

Conditions are evaluated each day to determine if ignition will take place. Precipitation, wind, temperature, fuel moisture and staffing all play a part in when and whether ignition occurs.

Ignitions are generally expected to begin after 10 a.m. and will cease several hours before sunset. Firefighters monitor the area after burning is complete. Public and firefighter safety is always the number one priority in burning operations.

Wind helps disperse smoke created during pile burning operations and snow helps keep the piles contained. Seeing flames and smoke, even after dark, is part of normal operations. This is one way that we can help reduce the buildup of fuels on the landscape under the safest conditions.

 If you know anyone else who would like to receive updates on pile burning activities in the Boulder Ranger District area, have them email krarmstrong@fs.fed.us and ask to be added to our email updates. To unsubscribe, please reply with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line.

A complete list of areas where pile burning could occur on the Boulder Ranger District this season is located at: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4648/