If you’re near Larkspur on Wednesday morning, you might see smoke coming from the Spruce Meadows area. It’s not a wildfire — it’s a well-planned prescribed burn aimed at reducing hazardous fuels and keeping the community safer from future fire threats.
Douglas County Emergency Management officials, in partnership with Open Space, Larkspur Fire and other local agencies, have scheduled the Spruce Meadows prescribed burn for 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, weather and air-quality conditions permitting.
This prescribed burn is part of Douglas County’s proactive approach to wildfire mitigation and land stewardship, designed to reduce hazardous fuels, restore healthy ecosystems, and prepare emergency crews for real-world response.
“The best time to prepare for a wildfire is long before one starts,” shared Michael Alexander, Douglas County Director of Emergency Management. “This prescribed burn is a safe, proactive step that helps protect our residents, our first responders, and our natural resources.”
What to Expect on Nov. 12:
- Ignition will begin around 10 a.m., with active burning expected to last approximately an hour.
- Smoke will be visible from Larkspur, Perry Park, Palmer Lake and other surrounding areas.
- Temporary road closures and detours will be in effect near the burn area, specifically on Spruce Mountain Road and Noe Road. Please follow posted signage.
- Residents sensitive to smoke are encouraged to keep windows closed and limit outdoor activities during the burn. Prescribed fire smoke may affect your health. For more information, visit Wood smoke and your health.
Crews will remain on-site throughout the day and afterward to monitor containment lines and ensure full extinguishment. Please do not call 911 to report this burn. However, if you see flames outside the designated burn area or any fire that appears uncontrolled, please call 911 immediately.
Stay Informed
To receive timely updates about this and future prescribed fires:
- Text BURNUPDATES to 21000 for prescribed fire alerts
- Sign up for CodeRED public safety notifications
- Follow Douglas County on Facebook, X, and Nextdoor
- Visit our Prescribed Fire webpage for more information
By working together and using fire safely strategically, we continue to protect our most valuable asset, the land we call home.