As spring approaches and fire season returns, public lands managers have released plans for prescribed burns.
Several federal and state agencies work together to identify areas that could benefit from controlled fires. There are three potential sites in Garfield County and two in both Pitkin and Eagle Counties, for a total of nearly 10,000 acres.
Prescribed fire is used to improve habitat and vegetation for wildlife during the transition from winter to summer. Officials say new growth can benefit wildlife as soon as 10 days after a controlled burn. It also can reduce hazardous fuels that pose wildfire danger.
