Lower North Fork fire report released Monday

Posted: Apr 16, 2012 11:00 AM by Kirsten Bennett
Updated: Apr 16, 2012 11:34 AM

Gov. John Hickenlooper will join William Bass, the leader of a team of specialists who reviewed the prescribed fire that preceded the Lower North Fork fire, and Colorado State University President Tony Frank Monday at 2:30 p.m. to discuss a report by the review team and its recommendations.

The independent review was ordered last month to look at the Lower North Fork prescribed fire that spread to a wildfire, killing three people in Jefferson County. The review was specifically charged to address only the prescribed fire up to the time of the wildfire declaration.

Bass, a 35-year veteran of the U.S. Forest Service, led a fact-finding team that reviewed the planning, protocols and execution of the prescribed fire and the key factors that led to the fire's escape. The review included data collection, weather information, interviews of personnel involved and an assessment of the preparation for the prescribed fire conducted by the Colorado State Forest Service in late March.

A more comprehensive review of the protocols and procedures of prescribed fires on state lands or by state agencies is also pending. The governor last month suspended the use of prescribed fires by state agencies or on state lands until this review takes place.