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Prescribed Burn Taking Place At Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge

ADAMS COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) - A prescribed burn is taking place at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge in the northeast part of the Denver metro area. As a result, people who see smoke in the Commerce City or northeast Denver areas early Thursday afternoon, including in the Central Park neighborhood, don't need to call 911.

Prescribed burn at Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge
(Photo by Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

A similar burn took place on Monday in the wildlife refuge.

Federal land managers from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are conducting the operation with help from local fire crews.

The Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge features about 875 acres of short-grass prairie and the goal of the prescribed burn is to control weeds and improve the habitat for wildlife. Controlled burns also lead to a lower risk of wildfires breaking out close to clusters of homes near open space areas.

Prescribed burn at Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge"n"n
DENVER, COLORADO - MARCH 5: Firefighters keep an eye on a prescribed burn at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge on April 5, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. 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. 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. 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."nBurning the prairie is expected to boost the growth of native vegetation, with a side benefit of reducing litter strewn about by visitors. The flames also help control weeds and improve habitat for wildlife. And controlled burns help manage the risks of uncontrolled wildfires close to housing developments. 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. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

On Monday, crews from Douglas County, Denver Fire, Westminster Fire, South Adams County Fire and the Division of Fire Prevention and Control provided help in the effort.

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