If wind and weather conditions permit it, the Boulder County Parks and Open Space Department and the Boulder County Sheriff's Office's Wildland Fire Management Program may conduct prescribed burns in the North Foothills area of Heil Valley Ranch and Hall near Lyons starting next week.

The controlled burning could start on Monday and could occur any day in the period before Feb. 24, county officials said. The Heil Valley Ranch and Hall Ranch open space areas will be closed to the public during active-initiation days and reopened as soon as fire personnel deem it safe to do so.

Updates will be posted to the website at bouldercounty.org/os/openspace/pages/burns.

County officials said that in determining whether conditions are suitable for ignitions, fire managers assess fuel moisture levels and continuously monitor current and projected weather forecasts. Weather considerations include wind, temperature, relative humidity and air quality. Conditions have to meet certain criteria in order for the prescribed burn to proceed.

Fire personnel will stop burning if weather conditions change and don't allow for a safe operation. Weather and safety conditions are monitored constantly.

Firefighting resources will completely surround the area during the duration of each prescribed burn, and will remain on site until the fire is confirmed as being controlled by significant weather conditions or determined to be out.

The interior of the prescribed burns will continue to consume hazardous fuels for multiple days. Smoke will be visible during this time, including overnight.

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