Prescribed Burn Takes Place At Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge

DENVER (CBS4) - If you see smoke north of Denver, it's probably a prescribed burn going on at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staffers are planning to burn 325 acres. They started at approximately 10 a.m. Tuesday and will finish by 4 p.m. The plan is to do the work on Wednesday during the same time period, weather permitting.

Tuesday's burn is taking place in the middle and north sections of the refuge, between 64th Avenue and 88th Avenue near Peoria Street.

Wednesday's will be closer to the south end, near 56th Avenue.

Smoke will likely be visible for several miles.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says "the purpose of the burns is to reinvigorate the growth of native prairie vegetation, reduce accumulated litter, manage efforts for weed control and improve habitat to sustain wildlife.

"Prescribed burns are also an important tool land managers use to reduce the risk of wildfire in the Wildland Urban Interface."

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