The City of Longmont Parks & Natural Resources Department and Boulder County Sheriff’s Office Wildland Fire Management Program plan to conduct slash pile burns at Button Rock Preserve (west of Lyons) as conditions allow this winter. These burns may require temporary park closures and may begin as early as two weeks from today.

Pile burns are conducted to reduce the amount of fuel on the ground following forest thinning operations. Forest stewardship projects in the Preserve, including stand thinning, are focused on reducing wildfire risk and protecting the Ralph Price Reservoir, the drinking water source for Longmont and Lyons. Fire crews hope to burn when there is a winter weather system in the area. Operations will only be conducted when there is sufficient snow cover to ensure safe fire operations and containment.

Smoke and flames may be visible during slash pile burns as well as in subsequent days or even weeks. The area will be continuously monitored to ensure fires are completely out. Residents are asked to not call 911 since a prescribed burn is not an emergency.

Fire managers work with the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) to identify safe conditions to put smoke in the air. Prescribed fire smoke may affect your health. For more information, visit the CDPHE’s “Wood smoke and your health” webpage, which provides tips on protecting your health from smoke.

For additional information, contact City of Longmont Parks & Natural Resources Department at 303-651-8416. Updates will be posted to longmontcolorado.gov/news.