Evergreen burn piles are part of a fire-fighting strategy [Video]

EVERGREEN, Colo. — With west-coast smoke in the air, local Red Flag alerts, plus hot and dry conditions across Colorado – it’s hard to ignore fire risk this time of year.

One fire department said they’re seeing more social media chatter and fielding questions about something that has people worried: burn piles from cut-down trees, left sitting across parts of the foothills.

“We are hearing complaints,” said Einar Jensen, risk reduction coordinator for Evergreen Fire Rescue. “We’re hearing complaints because of the visual of – these are no longer standing trees, these are now piles of trees.”

Complaints include questions about why the piles haven’t been cleared, how long they’ve been sitting, and what kind of fire risk they pose if left in place. All fair questions, …