270 Acres to Be Burned at Heil Valley Ranch February 14-20

Officials plan to conduct a prescribed burn of 270 acres at Heil Valley Ranch in Boulder County between February 14 and February 20, weather permitting.

Heil Valley Ranch will be completely closed during ignition days, with specific areas reopening as soon as they're deemed safe by fire personnel.

There will be an additional burn window planned for this area in March.

The project area will be well contained by firefighting resources, as well as trails and roads. Fire hoses and engines will completely surround the area during the duration of the burn.

Prescribed burns can be advantageous during winter months, as winter burning offers shorter days, lower temperatures, and most fuels are dormant. Such conditions allow fire managers the opportunity to apply various fire intensities and fuels in a safer way. In addition, snow, cold, and low sun angle allow the fire to burn out quickly and has a lower chance for escaping the burn area.