Boulder to Conduct Prescribed Burns in November
The City of Boulder plans controlled burns on open space south of Eldorado Springs Drive, and residents are asked not to call 911 about the smoke.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Safety
The City of Boulder will conduct prescribed burns on city open space south of Eldorado Springs Drive and west of HWY 93 in November 2026, weather and resources permitting. Community members may notice smoke in the area, and residents are asked not to call 911 about visible smoke from the planned burns.
Why it matters
Prescribed burns reduce wildfire risk by lowering the amount of dry vegetation that can fuel fires, and they help restore grasslands and forests that depend on periodic fire. Because the burns are planned and not emergencies, the city is asking nearby residents to avoid unnecessary emergency calls.
The City of Boulder's scheduled burn plan covers open space south of Eldorado Springs Drive and west of HWY 93 for November 2026, with specific dates not yet set. Exact burn days will depend on weather and resource conditions, which remain unresolved.
The players
City of Boulder
The City of Boulder is the municipal government conducting the prescribed burns as part of its city-wide Wildfire Ready Initiative.
The details
Firefighters trained and certified in prescribed fire operations will oversee each burn, supported by additional fire personnel and equipment on site. Smoke from prescribed fire may affect health, so residents with respiratory concerns should take precautions.
Timeline
November 2026: City of Boulder prescribed burns on open space, weather and resources permitting.
Seasonal Patterns
The prescribed burns complement the city-wide Wildfire Ready Initiative by reducing dry vegetation on open space before the fire season. Controlled burns of this kind are a planned fuel-reduction measure rather than a response to a specific fire event.
Residents near the burn area may notice smoke and should not call 911 about it, since the burns are planned. People with respiratory conditions should take precautions on burn days.
The takeaway
Plan ahead if you live near the burn area by checking city notifications before November burn days. Keep windows closed and limit outdoor exertion if smoke becomes noticeable.
What happens next
The City of Boulder's prescribed burns are scheduled for November 2026, with specific days to be determined based on weather and resource conditions.
Further reading
Explore more on Safety to see how wildfire prevention and public precautions fit into local planning.
More information
Sign up for day-of notifications and read program details on the City of Boulder prescribed burn program page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Yellow Scene Magazine.
