Douglas County, Colorado, is set to pioneer a novel approach to wildfire mitigation and waste management with the construction of a county-owned biochar facility. This $8 million project, billed as the first of its kind in the nation, aims to process 10,000 tons of woody waste annually, significantly reducing the fuel available for catastrophic wildfires. Dylan Williams, the county’s wildfire mitigation and resilience coordinator, envisions biochar as the “next level of wildfire mitigation.” The facility, located in Sedalia, will employ a process that produces biochar—a carbon-rich, charcoal-like material—through intense heat and minimal oxygen, releasing few harmful emissions.
The biochar produced can be used to improve soil health in farms, golf courses, and home gardens, enhancing aeration and water retention. It also sequesters carbon, preventing its release as planet-warming carbon dioxide or methane. “By converting woody debris and forest byproducts into biochar, we’re reducing wildfire risk, supporting responsible forest management, and creating a valuable resource that can improve soil health and support long-term environmental resilience,” said Douglas County Commissioner Abe Laydon.
The county has been expediting the plant’s construction, with Nash Leef, a partner in Carbon Dynamics, noting that the technology to produce biochar at scale is still in its infancy. “The technology to produce biochar at scale is nascent,” he said. “There are so many communities watching Douglas County to see if it will work for them.” Aurora, Colorado’s third-largest city, has shown interest, pledging $100,000 toward the facility’s development. Aurora Water spokeswoman Shonnie Cline highlighted the importance of forest thinning and fuels-reduction projects in areas where the city sources its drinking water.
Daniel Roberts, assistant director of Douglas County’s public works department, emphasized the plant’s strategic location near the Pike and San Isabel national forests, where wildfire danger is high. The facility aims to reduce the miles and costs associated with transporting woody waste to distant landfills. The plant’s operations will not only benefit large-scale forest management but also smaller businesses. A.J. Opp, lead plant healthcare technician with Knothead Tree and Lawn, expressed enthusiasm for turning organic waste into a useful product rather than simply disposing of it.
Biochar production is not new, with a history dating back over 2,000 years. However, industrial-scale production is a more recent development. R. Scott Summers, a professor of environmental engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder, praised the equipment Douglas County will use—a Biomass Energy Technologies Pyrolysis Rotary Drum that decomposes organic waste at high temperatures. The pyrolysis process alters the composition of biomass, producing a stable form of organic matter with multiple applications, including agriculture and energy production.
The biochar industry is poised for growth, with a projected value of $652 million by 2033, according to a report from SkyQuest Technology. Sales of biochar could provide economic benefits for municipal leaders. Douglas County expects the facility to reach the break-even point in under a decade, with annual sales potentially generating $2 million to $2.2 million. However, Summers cautioned that the market’s viability is crucial for the project’s economic model.
This innovative approach to wildfire mitigation and waste management could set a precedent for other communities facing similar challenges. As the biochar industry evolves, it may offer new solutions for sustainable forest management, carbon sequestration, and soil health improvement. The success of Douglas County’s biochar facility will be closely watched by other municipalities and could inspire similar projects nationwide.