Governor Suspends Use Of Controlled Burns By State Agencies

As an uncontrolled wildfire gnaws through the foothills southwest of Denver, Colorado’s governor says he’s putting a stop to government prescribed burns.

Gov. John Hickenlooper joined Colorado State University, which oversees the Colorado State Forest Service, Wednesday to call for an independent review into the circumstances that led to the Lower North Fork Fire.

The fire has left two dead and scorched 7 square miles may have been caused by a flare-up from a prescribed burn in the area last week. The exact cause is still under investigation, but Gov. John Hickenlooper says he doesn’t blame people for being angry at the government for prescribing a burn in dry conditions.

Gov. Hickenlooper says “a complete and independent review into the cause will take place.” Meanwhile, Gov. Hickenlooper ordered a suspension of the use of prescribed burns by state agencies on state lands – including state parks, refuges, State Land Board lands and any agency that manages lands. This includes agencies under contract on non-state lands, such as by the Colorado State Forest Service.

While this suspension applies only to state agencies and state lands, other non-state land agencies, such as county lands, federal lands and private lands, should examine their own procedures and consider appropriate steps. This suspension does not involve campfires or other fire use on state lands. However, state officials will continue to review and monitor conditions (weather, forest conditions, moisture content of vegetation, etc.) to determine if a broader statewide suspension or ban of fire use is warranted.

The suspension will be effective until a review of the protocols and procedures of prescribed burning is complete.

“Through this suspension, we intend to make sure that we have the procedures and protocols in place so that prescribed fire conditions and management requirements are understood and strictly followed,” Hickenlooper said.

Finally, the governor today authorized the use of two more UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters flown by the Colorado Army National Guard to help battle the Lower North Fork Fire. Each helicopter is equipped with a 500-gallon bucket to drop water on the fire. Two other UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters began flying over the fire on Tuesday.

Prescribed burns are widely recognized a good way to lower the risk of wildfires. But in rare cases firefighters can lose control of them.