Boulder’s unique natural areas have evolved with fire. While fire has long been an important component in maintaining healthy ecosystems, it is also a natural risk for our community. Learn more about Open Space and Mountain Parks works to help reduce wildfire risks on open space.
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Fire Has Shaped Boulder's Unique Natural Areas
We live in an area that has evolved with fire for millions of years. In fact, research shows areas around Boulder frequently burned, helping to shape the diverse natural areas we all enjoy today.
However, hundreds of years of ecological disturbances – such as fire suppression across the West – have altered nature's delicate balance, creating natural hazards that can fuel fires. With climate change creating conditions in which fire is a year-long concern, out-of-balance ecosystems can cause more extreme wildfires.
Wildfire Risk Reduction on Boulder Open Space
Given wildfire's risks, City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks has worked to address fire dangers on open space for decades. Our work focuses on:
Mimicking fire’s beneficial natural process to sustain healthy ecosystems that can help our community help reduce the likelihood extreme fires. That work includes tree thinning, livestock grazing, prescribed burning, weed management and a new pilot mowing program. Recent open space risk reduction work helped slow the NCAR Fire – which occurred under much less extreme conditions as the recent Marshall Fire – keeping it from becoming a more intense fire.
Working collaboratively across the City of Boulder continue risk reduction work we've been doing for decades, enhance work that has been effective and begin new approaches through the forthcoming Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
Preventing wildfires on open space by enforcing regulations that prohibit all human sources of ignition on open space, communicating our shared responsibility to prevent wildfires and maintaining trails that provide critical access to help firefighters to fight fires. Many OSMP staff members are trained firefighters and help support Boulder Fire-Rescue when a fire occurs.
Be Wildfire Ready
We live in a location where the wildfire threat is real. Wildfires happen frequently. A wildfire that threatens your Boulder home is not a matter of if, but when.
Extreme fires, such as the Marshall Fire, can overwhelm preventative land management strategies and response capabilities, making pro-active community member preparedness absolutely essential. Learn more wildfire preparedness, including the steps you can take at your home and tips for being prepared when a fire occurs.
Addressing Fire Risks with Healthy Ecosystems
Tree Thinning
Since adopting the Forest Ecosystem Management Plan in 1999, City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) has worked to mimic fire disturbances by selectively cutting trees and limbs in open space areas along Boulder's mountain backdrop. OSMP evaluates forest ecosystems to guide its ongoing tree thinning efforts – with OSMP prioritizing fuel mitigation work next to residential neighborhoods. Over the last 10 years, OSMP has conducted forest thinning work across 2,000 acres, helping to reduce vegetation that can fuel fires and improve forest health. In 2024, 13 staff members will help with this important wildfire risk reduction work.
A member of the city's Forest Ecosystem Management crew thins trees south of Boulder. Tree thinning helped slow the recent NCAR Fire and keep it from becoming a more intense fire.
Livestock Grazing
OSMP partners with local ranchers to conduct prescribed livestock grazing across 700 acres just south of the National Center for Atmospheric Research. Livestock grazing helps decrease the heavy buildup of dead grass and thatch created by invasive tall oatgrass weeds, which can harm more resilient native grass species. Grazing also occurs on an additional 13,985 acres of OSMP-managed agricultural lands east of Boulder, helping to reduce vegetation across the area.
Cows graze on city open space near the National Center for Atmospheric Research. Livestock grazing helps to remove invasive weed species and reduce vegetation that can fuel fires.
Prescribed Burning
The City of Boulder periodically conducts prescribed burns to reduce fire danger for the community, improve forest and grassland ecosystem health and maintain agricultural water infrastructure. By introducing prescribed fires, the City of Boulder can restore the natural balance for Colorado’s fire-adapted ecosystems and reduce the amount of fuel during a wildfire. If a burn can’t be done safely or meet city burn goals and state-mandated guidelines, it won’t be carried out.
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Weed Management
Native plant communities across the city's open space system are more resilient and resistant to fire. However, they face challenges from invasive weed species that can harm them. For example, tall oatgrass can form dense stands that prevent native vegetation from receiving light, moisture and nutrients. Since 2015, OSMP has used livestock grazing to reduce weeds south of the National Center for Atmospheric Research and on Shanahan Ridge.
OSMP uses an integrated weed management approach to reduce noxious weed populations and prevent their spread by mechanical, biological, cultural and chemical controls. Examples include:
Mechanical: Weed pulling, weed whacking and digging.
Biological: Grazing.
Cultural: Seeding with native plant species.
Chemical: The judicious use of herbicides.
OSMP focuses on managing these state-designated noxious weeds including, but not limited to, invasive species, such as: Mediterranean sage, purple loosestrife, knotweed, hairy willow-herb, cut-leaf teasel, and oxeye daisy.In 2021, OSMP removed invasive weed species across more than 6,000 acres of land.
Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks' vegetation stewardship staff remove the noxious weed, myrtle spurge, from city open space.
Pilot Mowing Program
The City of Boulder will begin a pilot a Perimeter Mowing Program in the summer of 2024 to mow a 30-foot strip of open space land next to four neighborhoods as part of citywide efforts to reduce wildfire risks in our community. Open Space and Mountain Parks’ (OSMP’s) pilot mowing program is planned twice this year in open space areas next to the Dakota Ridge, Wonderland Lake, Chautauqua and Devil’s Thumb/Shanahan Ridge neighborhoods.
In selecting the locations for the pilot mowing program, OSMP considered wildfire risk mapping, open space ecological data, structure density information, the proximity of homes to city-managed open space. Planned mowing aims to reduce grass vegetation down to 4 to 6 inches in height and will occur in June/July and then again in September/October. Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) staff will assess mowing effectiveness to help inform the development of a permanent Perimeter Mowing Program.
Planned open space mowing has been timed to provide the greatest opportunity to help reduce wildfire risks while minimizing impacts to sensitive wildlife and plant habitats.
Preventing and Responding to Fires on Open Space
Fire Rules and Regulations
All humans sources of ignition – including smoking, campfires and fireworks – are prohibited on City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks lands.
Responsible Recreation Reminders
Visitors should consider several critical “know before you go” guidelines before visiting open space:
Know fire regulations that apply to the area you plan to visit. Officials will issue citations to anyone who violates fire regulations meant to protect shared public lands and visitors.
Know the current fire risk. Check all fire restrictions and fire bans instituted by local authorities and public land managers.
Create a plan. Look at the weather forecast. Download a trail map and carry a print map. Create a plan for adverse weather or emergencies, such as fires and floods. Know where you are going and consider alternative routes you can take to leave the area. Access public land websites – including Colorado Trail Explorer (COTREX) – to view critical advisories and trail maps.
Charge your phone. Make sure your phone is charged in case you need assistance or there is an emergency. But remember: Cell service may be extremely limited in mountain locations.
Pack for changing conditions. Bring enough food and water. Wear appropriate clothing and shoes.
Don’t take unnecessary risks. Consider not visiting public lands during adverse weather conditions.
Stay alert when on the trail. Be aware of your surroundings. Always stay focused on what’s in front and around you as the outdoors are changing environments and natural hazards may be present. Call 911 if there is an emergency, such as a fire starting or if you see smoke. Try to text 911 if you don’t have enough cell service to get a phone call through.
Trails as Fire Roads and Fire Breaks
Many of Open Space and Mountain Parks' trails serve as fire roads – such as NCAR-Bear Canyon – providing fire trucks critical access to Boulder's mountain backdrop. During the recent NCAR Fire, open space trails helped firefighters respond to the fire and served as "fire breaks," which can help limit the spread of fire.
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Open Space Fire Crews
Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) Rangers are trained wildland firefighters. Many other OSMP staff members – including the department's Forest Ecosystem Management crew – are also "red carded," meaning they are trained to fight fires. During recent fires, OSMP Rangers played a critical role in helping visitors get off open space trails and assisted with evacuating residents from their homes.
The City of Boulder is fortunate to receive assistance from neighboring communities when we conduct prescribed burns and when fires occur around Boulder. Recently, 50 other agencies supported our community during the 2022 NCAR fire. Boulder Fire-Rescue and OSMP crews also support other communities when they need help.
Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) Rangers and many other OSMP staff members have "red cards," which means they have been trained to fight wildfires.
