Prescribed Burn Under Way Near Metro Area

DENVER (CBS4)- People may see some smoke coming from an area northeast of the Denver metro area Wednesday afternoon. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge is conducing a prescribed burn.

The burn will last until 5 p.m. Wednesday. Smoke is visible along the southwest and west section of the Refuge.

The Wildlife Service said the prescribed burn is conducted because weather and smoke conditions were good.

Sherry James with the Wildlife Service said in a statement that "very burn is planned with the safety of the surrounding community, visitors, employees and the firefighters as a top priority."

The purpose of the burns is to reduce hazard fuels, manage efforts for weed control and improve wildlife habitat.