The Colorado Army National Guard will continue wildland fire helicopter training out of the Ralph Price Reservoir in the Button Rock Preserve this week. Portions of the training, originally scheduled to conclude on April 18, were postponed due to unfavorable weather conditions last week. Operations will continue, weather permitting, on Tuesday, April 20 – Thursday, April 22 and the following Button Rock trails will be closed for your protection:

• Professor’s Ranch Trail
• South Cove Trail
• South end of Button Rock Dam
• North Shore Trail
• Areas of Button Rock Preserve accessed from Coulson Gulch Trail (#916)

The National Guard is coordinating this training with City of Longmont staff to ensure safety to visitors, wildlife and the environment within Button Rock Preserve. Although this training will create a level of disturbance for visitors, it is a valuable opportunity for wildland firefighters to gain familiarity with Button Rock Preserve should a fire ever threaten the area, in addition to building skills for use across the state of Colorado.

Questions about the training can be directed to Caley Pruitt, Public Information Officer for the State of Colorado’s Division of Fire Protection and Control, at caley.pruitt@state.co.us or 720-391-1565.