Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostRocky Mountain Aresenal Fire boss Scott Whiteaker, center, shows U.S. Fish and Wildfire firefighter Joe Murphy, left, and Denver firefighter Jordan Smith, the area to be burned for the prescribed burn at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge on April 5, 2021. Federal land managers at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge conducted a controlled burn in an effort to invigorate about 875 acres of short-grass prairie just north of Denver.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostFire boss Tim Egan, left, shows the crew the map as he goes over the plans for the prescribed burn at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge on April 5, 2021. Federal ecologists favor prescribed burns as a smart and cost-efficient tool for restoring degraded landscapes. The burning was to be done between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday and smoke was visible for several miles.- Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostDouglas County firefighter Quenton Brown uses a drip torch to light grasses on fire during prescribed burn at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge on April 5, 2021. Several fire agencies, including the US Fish and Wildlife service and crews from Douglas County, Denver Fire, Westminster Fire, South Adams County Fire and Division of Fire Prevention and Control provided help in the prescribed burn.
- Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostFirefighters keep an eye on a prescribed burn at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge on April 5, 2021.
- Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostDouglas County firefighter Quinton Brown moves his face away from the intense heat as uses a drip torch to light grasses on fire along the road during prescribed burn at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge on April 5, 2021.
- Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostFirefighters keep an eye on a prescribed burn at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge on April 5, 2021. Burning the prairie is expected to boost the growth of native vegetation, with a side benefit of reducing litter strewn about by visitors.
- Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostDenver firefighter Jordan Smith keeps an eye on the fire during prescribed burn at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge on April 5, 2021.
- Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostFirefighters keep an eye on a prescribed burn at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge in Denver on April 5, 2021.
- Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostCattails burn from a prescribed burn at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge on April 5, 2021. The flames help control weeds and improve habitat for wildlife.
- Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostFirefighters keep an eye on a prescribed burn at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge on April 5, 2021.
- Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostDenver firefighter Jordan Smith keeps an eye on the fire along the road during prescribed burn at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge on April 5, 2021. Restoring native prairie has proved difficult but gradually is succeeding, ensuring a safe space for wildlife. A herd of about 200 bison now thrives at the refuge. Each foraging bison eats about 40 pounds a day of dry grass.
- Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostFirefighters keep an eye on a prescribed burn at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge on April 5, 2021. Controlled burns help manage the risks of uncontrolled wildfires close to housing developments.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
1 of 12
Rocky Mountain Aresenal Fire boss Scott Whiteaker, center, shows U.S. Fish and Wildfire firefighter Joe Murphy, left, and Denver firefighter Jordan Smith, the area to be burned for the prescribed burn at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge on April 5, 2021. Federal land managers at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge conducted a controlled burn in an effort to invigorate about 875 acres of short-grass prairie just north of Denver.
Expand
By Helen H. Richardson | hrichardson@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED:
Getting your player ready...
Federal land managers lit fires that burned and blackened the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge north of Denver on Monday, revitalizing short-grass prairie for an increasingly delicate balancing of multiplying visitors and bison as the climate becomes hotter and drier.
Controlled burns across 875 acres on this 25-square-mile refuge over the next two weeks, kicking out smoke that may be visible across the metro area, help restore native vegetation and remove weeds. The fires also incinerate trash that blows in from the surrounding urban development.
Click here to read the full story.
