BOULDER, Colo. – Crews will resume pile burning operations on National Forest lands in Boulder and Gilpin counties starting the week of Feb. 11. Burning generally begins after 10 a.m. and ceases several hours before sunset. Burning will be focused in the following areas:

• James Creek Units M0501 M0503 150 acres of hand piles or approx. 4,500 piles; Potential smoke impacts:Ward, Bar K subdivision, Gold Lake, Jamestown Gold Hill, Rowena; General location: Gold Lake Rd 1 East of Peak to Peak Hwy. [30 acres remaining]

• James Creek Units M0502, M3202, H3101: 200 acres of hand piles or approx. 4,000 piles; Potential smoke impacts:Ward, Bar K subdivision Gold Lake, Jamestown Gold Hill, Rowena; General location: Peak to Peak Hwy 1 mile North of Ward Gold Lake and County Rd 100 and 103. [50 acres remaining]

• James Creek Unit H1501 M1603 M1401 M1603: 500 acres of hand piles or approx. 5,000 piles; Potential smoke impacts:Sky View Estates, Glacier View , Bar K subdivision Gold Lake, Jamestown; General location: 2 miles east of Peak to Peak on Overland Rd.

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. 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 fuels on the landscape under the safest conditions.

Public and firefighter safety is always the number one priority in burning operations.

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