Press Release: Douglas County Breaks Ground on Innovative Biochar Facility to Combat Wildfires
Douglas County, Colorado, is set to address wildfire risks and recycle hard-to-dispose waste with the construction of a new biochar facility. The groundbreaking ceremony, held Wednesday, marks an investment of over $3 million in a facility designed to convert discarded materials into charcoal-like biochar. This product is expected to enhance wildfire prevention strategies in the county, which has invested heavily in firefighting resources, including a response helicopter.
Located near Waste Connections along Santa Fe Drive in Sedalia, the biochar facility aims to begin operations in 2026. County officials anticipate earning back their investment within nine years by marketing biochar as a multi-functional organic product beneficial for soil health and wildfire mitigation. The USDA Agricultural Research Service explains that biochar is produced by heating materials like diseased wood and agricultural waste in a low-oxygen environment, effectively trapping carbon that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere.
Officials assert that biochar will aid in wildfire remediation and forest restoration while also improving soil structure and moisture retention. Residents can contribute their hard-to-dispose waste to the facility, which will eventually expand its services to include the disposal of hazardous household chemicals and electronics.
During the groundbreaking, county officials declared Douglas County the first in the nation to operate a county-run biochar facility. This initiative complements existing wildfire prevention efforts and offers a local solution for non-marketable wood generated from restoration activities. Douglas County Commissioner Abe Laydon emphasized the facility’s potential to reduce water usage in landscaping and improve overall environmental health, marking a significant step towards sustainable waste management.
As these efforts unfold, Douglas County continues to lead the charge in innovative approaches to protecting its communities and landscapes from the threat of wildfires.
