Forest health task force session features wildfire info

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
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Firefighters extinguish a small March 2012 blaze along Montezuma Road, in Summit County, Colorado. Bob Berwyn photo.

Experts to discuss local wildfire conditions

By Summit  Voice

FRISCO — Somewhat battered by decade-long waves of bark beetles, Summit County’s  forests are showing signs of a strong comeback.

In both logged and un-logged areas,young lodgepoles are spurting upward, with growth rates doubling in some areas and new stands of developing aspens on sunnier patches of ground. The regeneration is especially eye-catching in stands that haven’t been logged. With sunlight streaming through the bare branches of beetle-killed pines, a thriving mix of shrubs, berry bushes and grasses carpets the forest floor, proving shelter for new conifer species, including subalpine fir and Englemann spruce.

But the new forest, along with the beetle-killed areas, is still subject to the ever-present threat of wildfires, which are a natural part of lodgepole forest ecology. And since so many Summit County dwellings are on the fringes of those forests, local homes and neighborhoods are also at risk.

Recent spring snows have eased drought conditions, water and wildfire experts say there will still be a chance of fires later this summer, and they want educate local residents about the potential risk to neighborhoods.

This month’s Summit County Forest Health Task Force meeting (April 24, 7-8:30 p.m., at the old Frisco Community Center, 3rd and Granite) will feature talks from  local wildfire experts, including Ross Wilmore and Jeff Berino. (more…)

Filed under: climate and weather, Colorado, forest fires, forests, Summit County Colorado, Summit County news, wildfires | Tagged: , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Colorado: Sen. Udall pushes for more firefighting funds

Posted on March 24, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
A wildfire burns through a western conifer forest. Photo courtesy U.S. Forest Service.

A wildfire burns through a western conifer forest. Photo courtesy U.S. Forest Service.

Senate passes budget amendment that prioritizes spending for wildfire resources

By Summit Voice

FRISCO — A budget amendment that would prioritize funds for fighting wildfires passed the Senate this weekend by voice vote without objection, according to a statement from Sen. Mark Udall’s office.

Udall (D-CO) said the amendment will increase the funding availability for fighting wildfires and modernizing the air tanker fleet by $100 million — critical funds that will help prevent fires from growing and threatening lives and homes in the West. (more…)

Filed under: climate and weather, Colorado, Drought, Environment, wildfires | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Reinforcements: 300 firefighers, 25 additional engines arriving to help battle large Colorado wildfires

Posted on June 24, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Fire managers shifting resources to address regional threats

A June 19 NASA satellite image shows smoke plumes from several wildfires burning across the West. Photo courtesy NASA Goddard MODIS Rapid Response Team, Jeff Schmaltz.

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — With nine large fires burning in Colorado, regional firefighting resources are getting reinforcements from other parts of the country.

According to regional spokesman Steve Segin, 15 crews (300 fire fighters) and 25 engines are moving into Colorado for assignment to large wildfires across state. The crews are coming from the Pacific Northwest, while the engines are en route from California.

“There are plenty of resources available nationally and we will have  everything we need as we just order them and bring them in,” Segin said via email.

According to a Twitter post from regional fire officials, the Rocky Mountain Area Coordination Center has moved to the highest planning level.

An earlier post from one of the region’s fire management units suggested that firefighting resources are near their limits:

Segin said that may have been the result of miscommunication or misinterpretation of information.

Regional wildfire information from the RMACC is here: http://gacc.nifc.gov/rmcc/links/fire_info/index.html

The RMACC also reported a new fire start near Durango, where the 10- to 20-acre Bondad Hill Fire threatens an unknown number of structures and has forced the closure of the highway.

Filed under: climate and weather, Colorado, Drought, forest fires | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

USFS finalizes new rule for aerial use of fire retardants

Posted on December 29, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Agency balances firefighter safety, community protection and endangered species protection

The U.S. Forest Service finalizes a new policy for the use of fire retardants. PHOTO COURTESY U.S. FOREST SERVICE.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — The U.S. Forest Service last week finalized new guidelines for aerial application of fire retardants aimed at better protecting streams, rare plants and wildlife. All documents relating to the decision are online at this Forest Service website.

Under the changes, the Forest Service will use about 12,000 detailed maps identifying streams and lakes, as well as locations of hundreds of plant and animal species that could potentially be harmed by retardant. With some exceptions, the guideline prohibits use of retardants about 0.80 percent of national forest system lands.

“These new guidelines strike a balance between the need to supplement our boots-on-the-ground approach to fighting wildfires while protecting our waterways and important plant and animal species at the same time,” said Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell said. “Our new approach will benefit communities, ecosystems and our fire crews.” More details in the formal Record of Decision. (more…)

Filed under: endangered species, Environment, forest fires, forests, Summit County news, US Forest Service | Tagged: , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Summit County: Fire officials eye merger of districts

Posted on December 24, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Consolidating Lake Dillon Fire and Red, White & Blue could save money

Local firefighters battle a brushfire near Summit High School in May 2010. PHOTO BY SCOTTY BONDO.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Consolidating  Lake Dillon Fire and Red, White & Blue Fire Protection Districts could save money and create a single, streamlined fire department capable of responding to all types of hazards and emergencies, local fire officials said, describing recent talks about a potential merger.

“We have not presumed anything, and we realize that there is much work to be conducted as part of this merger. But we feel the time is right to take these steps,” said Randy Griffin, president of the Red, White & Blue Board of Directors.

The boards of both fire districts recognize that there could be possible gains in efficiency by enhancing the existing relationships between firefighter crews, existing joint training, shared fleet-maintenance services and some select shared staff positions. (more…)

Filed under: forest fires, Summit County Colorado, Summit County news | Tagged: , , , , , | 1 Comment »

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