Thunderstorms passed through Yosemite National Park on Saturday, September 9, 2023, bringing 179 lightning strikes, a small amount of precipitation, and some...
Prescribed Burning Plannedat Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife RefugeCOMMERCE CITY — Weather permitting, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) will be conducting prescribed burning activities on the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge beginning Tuesday, March 15th. The FWS plans to burn up to 2,686 acres over 4 weeks. The burns will be conducted between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Smoke will be visible for several miles from the perimeter of the Refuge and people in the area may smell smoke. 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.Interagency fire crews from the FWS, local fire departments and other federal agencies will be participating in the prescribed burns. Safety is our number one priority and…