Controlled Burns Reduce Wildfire Risk Near Jeremy Ranch, Officials Say
Forestry crews conducted prescribed burns north of Jeremy Ranch on December 2 to reduce fuels and lower wildfire risk, burning roughly 2,500 piles across about 70 acres while weather and moisture conditions were favorable. The work is routine hazard reduction and forest health management, and officials advised residents to expect visible smoke and not to report the controlled burns to emergency services.
Forestry officials carried out prescribed burns north of Jeremy Ranch on December 2 as part of routine hazard reduction and forest health work aimed at lowering wildfire risk to nearby neighborhoods and infrastructure. Crews planned to ignite approximately 2,500 burn piles across roughly 70 acres when weather and moisture conditions allowed safe implementation. The operation was scheduled to take advantage of favorable conditions that reduce the likelihood of escapes and make containment more reliable.
Officials notified the public in advance and asked residents to expect visible smoke. They also reminded the public not to report controlled burns to emergency services so that dispatch resources remain available for unplanned fires and other emergencies. Local forestry personnel emphasized that prescribed fire is a preventative tool intended to protect homes, utilities, roads, and other community assets by reducing the amount of combustible material on the landscape.
The burns reflect a broader approach to wildfire resilience that combines vegetation treatments with scheduling based on weather windows. Conducting pile burns in cooler, moister conditions reduces fire intensity and the potential for spot fires, while allowing crews to manage smoke production and containment resources. For Summit County residents, that scheduling means the work often occurs outside of the peak summer season when wildfire activity is highest, but it can still be highly visible and disruptive to air quality for short periods.
Community impact centered on visibility and awareness rather than immediate danger. Residents reported seeing smoke from the north of Jeremy Ranch on the day of the burns, and officials emphasized that the activity was controlled and monitored. The prescribed burns are part of ongoing hazard reduction efforts intended to lower the probability of larger, uncontrolled wildfires that pose greater threats to life and property.
Continued transparency and clear public notification are essential as agencies plan further treatments, especially in populated foothill and canyon areas. When conditions allow, crews will continue to schedule controlled burns to reduce fuels and maintain forest health, with the stated goal of protecting Summit County homes and infrastructure.
