Forest Stewardship Tip of the Day: Prescribed Fire to take place Wed. Oct. 5 at Hall Ranch near Lyons

Boulder County Parks and Open Space is planning to ignite a prescribed fire at Hall Ranch Open Space near Lyons on Wednesday, October 5, 2011. (weather permitting) The proposed burn area is approximately 66 acres in size and is located near the Nelson Loop trail, just west of the prairie dog area.

Fire is being used as one of many of the diverse management tools to reduce tree density and surface fuel loadings. This treatment will help maintain an open ponderosa pine forest, which will help reduce the severity of damage from a wildland fire. The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, Lyons Fire Protection District, and other wildland fire agencies will assist.

While the prescribed burn is in progress, there may be heavy smoke in the air, as well as reduced visibility.  It is advised that you keep your windows closed, pets indoors, and/or arrange to be elsewhere during that time. Hall Ranch Open Space will be closed during the active ignition phase of the burn.  The burn will be monitored until declared out.

For more information or status updates please visit:http://www.bouldercounty.org/government/dept/pages/pos.aspx

Forestry Article of Interest: From the New York Times

This article in The New York Times, “With Deaths of Forests, a Loss of Key Climate Protectors,” discusses forests in the West affected by the pine beetle epidemic in the context of climate change and other forests around the world:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/01/science/earth/01forest.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2&sq=forests&st=cse&scp=2

Reminder: Nederland Sort Yard reopens this Friday Oct. 7

The Nederland area sort yard will reopen on Fridays and Saturdays for four weekends in October. It will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29.

The Allenspark area sort yard is also currently open Tuesday-Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This north county site is schedule to close at 5 p.m. Saturday Oct. 15.

For complete details about our Community Forestry Sort Yard Program please visitwww.BoulderCounty.org/ForestHealth.

Cheers,
Ryan

Ryan Ludlow | Forestry Education & Outreach Coordinator
Boulder County | Land Use Department
P.O. Box 471, Boulder CO 80306
O: 720.564.2641 | F: 303.441.4856
rludlow@nullbouldercounty.org | www.bouldercounty.org/ForestHealth

*Please visit our website to sign-up to receive emails about forestry workshops, community meetings, bark beetle management tips and more!