Prescribed Burn At Rocky Mountain Arsenal Sends Up Black Plumes Of Smoke

DENVER (CBS4)- A prescribed burn at Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge sent up black plumes of smoke to the east of the Denver metro area on Wednesday morning.

Crews plan to burn up to 1,550 acres over the next two to three weeks. The burns will be conducted between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. and smoke will be visible for several miles. People in the area may also smell smoke.

The refuge said the purpose of the burns is to invigorate the growth of native prairie vegetation, reduce accumulated litter, manage efforts for weed control and improve habitat to sustain wildlife.

The burns also help reduce the risk of wildfires.