Laserfiche WebLink
<br />200 1 burns <br /> <br />Page 1 of2 <br /> <br />e HeAltlioe ~ews <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />For Immediate Release-March 19,2001 <br /> <br />Contact: Thea Rock <br /> <br />Jefferson County Open Space <br /> <br />Citizen Outreach <br /> <br />303-271-5902 or 303-906-0201 <br /> <br />.Commissioners Continue Support for Controlled Burns in <br />Open Space. <br /> <br />The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners agreed last week to continue using prescribed fire as a <br />forest management tool within Open Space lands. <br /> <br />Jeffco Open Space Natural Resources Supervisor Randal Frank and Allen Gallamore of the Colorado <br />State Forest Service presented a plan to burn 124 acres of meadow at Elk Meadow Open Space Park, <br />including newly defined blocks in Noble Meadow in Evergreen, when conditions are optimal. <br /> <br />"Safety is our main concern, and we have faith in the process by which these prescribed fires are <br />conducted," said Michelle Lawrence, chairman of the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners, in <br />approving the plan. <br /> <br />Commissioner Pat Holloway agreed and noted that past burns had actually enhanced park vegetation. <br />"After the prescribed burning at Elk Meadow Park, the grasses become so green," she said. "You can <br />really see the improved health of the meadows." <br /> <br />The commissioners expressed their confidence in the planning and safety contingencies that are <br />included in the prescribed burn management within Open Space lands. Those measures include <br />review processes, checklists, adequate resources and control features. <br /> <br />"The prescribed fires are one of the tools available to us for forest management, and I believe that our <br />residents understand the benefits that can be derived from this technique," commented Commissioner <br />Richard Sheehan. <br /> <br />The burn could occur at any time between now and the end of April, Frank told the commissioners. <br />During what he called that "window of opportunity," officials test conditions such as wind direction, <br />_ temperature and moisture to determine if a burn is appropriate. A prescribed burn is not conducted <br />. unless conditions are absolutely right for a safe and effective burn, he emphasized. <br /> <br />In 1999 and 2000, Open Space and the State Forest Service successfully burned approximately 140 <br /> <br />l..t+......II'1n~ 1117 110 ..,l/a'Vt-/r1.....t/,..,v....1.......I...~.l..;.......f'......I.............roro...,....l/'1(){)ll..n_....l............ <br /> <br />'7J"')l;!fl'l <br />