The City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Division is planning a prescribed burn this Thursday and Friday (Jan. 26th and 27th) in the Bobcat Ridge Natural Area west of Fort Collins. Smoke might be visible in the Fort Collins and Loveland area during the burn. 

According to a press release:

The burn is 50 acres and will take place in the valley in the central section of Bobcat Ridge Natural Area. The objective of this burn is to control smooth brome, cheat grass and other non-natives as well as promote the conversion from non-natives to native vegetation. Historically, much of the valley at Bobcat Ridge Natural Area supported native mixed and tallgrass prairie. Today the site hosts an undesirable occurance of many noxious weeds, which have little habitat value. The entire natural area will be closed when the burn is taking place.

Weather permitting, there will be other prescribed burns between now and April 30, 2012 in the same area.

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