UPDATE: The prescribed fire planned at Bear Creek Lake Park has been canceled because of dry conditions, high fire danger, and current fire restrictions.

This has been an unusually dry winter and spring in Colorado. Much of the state is in drought, and we’ve seen more Red Flag Warnings in the first few months of 2026 than we would typically see in an entire year.

Prescribed fire is one of the best tools we have to reduce wildfire risk and improve habitat in natural areas. But under these extremely dry conditions, and with fire restrictions, we are unable to burn.

With our spring burn window ending April 30, we are canceling prescribed fire operations at Bear Creek Lake Park for the first part of the year. West Metro Fire Rescue, the City of Lakewood, and Bear Creek Lake Park will continue to evaluate conditions and determine whether burns may be possible later in the year.