UPDATE:
BOULDER, Colo. (May 7, 2024) – Fire managers have determined that conditions will not be suitable for prescribed fire ignitions tomorrow, Wednesday, May 8, at the Forsythe II Prescribed Burn. Fire management professionals will continue to monitor for another possible ignition window after this incoming weather system, which unexpectedly dropped snow on the burn area this afternoon.
As mentioned in our update sent out this morning, the intricate nature of prescribed fire requires significant planning and the alignment of multiple factors. Unfortunately, the weather conditions and unexpected snow means that we would not be able to meet the objectives of the prescribed fire burn plan for tomorrow.
Update from the morning:
BOULDER, Colo. (May 7, 2024) -- Fire managers are monitoring conditions for potential ignition tomorrow, Wednesday May 8, on the Forsythe II Prescribed Burn. Ignitions will be contingent on appropriate weather conditions falling within the parameters of the burn plan, such as appropriate wind speeds and ignitable fuel moistures.
Full press release from the US Forest Service:
Since our first ignition date on April 15, fire managers have had three total days of ignitions on the Forsythe II project for this season so far. Those three days of ignitions have successfully treated approximately 122 acres, and fire managers hope to treat an additional 70 of acres this season, if conditions allow. Due to the intricate nature of the prescribed fire planning process requiring multiple factors to align, significant planning and preparation may go into a prescribed fire ignition only for it to be called off, despite our firefighters being fully prepared. Ignition decisions are made in consideration with our team of fire management professionals in collaboration with partners such as the National Weather Service.
Due to the nature of the fuel content within this prescribed burn area, there may be notable smoke visible from the Forsythe II Prescribed Burn during these ignition periods. Residents and visitors in the area should expect to see smoke and flames when operations are underway. The following areas in particular may see and smell smoke during this burn: Lakeshore subdivision, Crescent Village, Crescent Meadows, Gross Reservoir, Walker Park Ranch, Miramonte, Wondervu, Eldorado Canyon State Park, and parts of eastern Boulder County.
Fire managers work closely with experts to minimize the impacts of smoke to the best extent possible. Air quality is carefully monitored before and during a prescribed fire and all prescribed burns comply with state air quality regulations to minimize impacts to communities. More information is available at https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health.
The public is advised to not call 911 regarding prescribed fire activity. Additional email notifications will be sent on days when burning is expected to begin. To receive these ignition updates, join our email list and select "Forest Health & Fire: North of Hwy 72 (Coal Creek Canyon) to Hwy 119 Boulder Canyon (Nederland and Magnolia areas)." These updates will also be posted on InciWeb.
Have questions? Email ARPFireInfo@usda.gov. Additional information, including maps and closure information, can be found on InciWeb.