Muddy Sheep Prescribed Fire planned north of Edwards May 17

EDWARDS, Colo. - Fire managers expect conditions will be favorable Saturday to ignite the 400-acre Muddy Sheep Prescribed Fire on National Forest System lands five miles north of Edwards. 

The carefully planned fire is designed to reduce dense vegetation and other fuels, which will lower wildfire risk to the local community and improve wildlife habitat by stimulating new vegetation growth.

“Fire plays an important role in our local ecosystem,” said Eagle Holy Cross District Ranger Leanne Veldhuis. “Carefully planned prescribed burns not only increase the fire resiliency of our local community but also stimulate new vegetation growth which benefit wildlife.”

The project is being funded in part by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. 

“RMEF has a conservation history in Colorado dating back nearly four decades. We’re proud to support this project that will enhance habitat for elk, bighorn sheep, black bears, mountain goats, lynx, other wildlife and even birds and reptiles. We appreciate our Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service partners for making this happen,” said Karie Decker, RMEF director of wildlife and habitat.

Firefighters are closely monitoring site-specific conditions and will only ignite the fire if conditions are good for a safe, effective burn and smoke dispersal that minimizes impacts to surrounding communities. 

Flames and smoke are expected to be visible along the I-70 corridor from Eagle to Vail. Smoke is expected to dissipate throughout the day but may remain on the valley floors as temperatures drop. 

Fire managers have developed a detailed prescribed fire plan and obtained smoke permits from the State of Colorado. Prescribed fire smoke may affect your health. For more information, visit: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health. Go to https://fire.airnow.gov/  to find more detailed information about air quality.

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