West Fork Fire Complex
Valley Publishing 835 35 Fi Firstt A Ave. e • Monte Mo tte Vista M Vi Vista, tta Colo C Colo. l
719.852.3531
Wednesday, August 21, 20I3
South Fork struggles after West Fork fires BY JOHN MCEVOY
The town of South Fork and the immediate surrounding area were affected by the West Fork Fire Complex more than any other community in the valley. They were the only ones forced to evacuate. The largest recorded fire in the history of the Rio Grande National Forest was started by a lightning strike in the remote wilderness on June 5. The massive fire was fueled by thousands of acres of beetle killed forest already tinder dry because of years of drought. High winds pushed the fire relentlessly onward at such a fast pace, it seemed nothing would stop it. By Friday June 21, the fire was estimated to be 47 square miles in size and moving furiously at about one mile per hour toward South Fork. State officials said if it reached South Fork the chances of saving the town were “low to moderate.” Nearly 400 residents faced mandatory evacuation on short notice, some even leaving beloved pets behind in the rush to get out. There was media frenzy on the national news channels that spread faster than the fire itself. Over the next several days, dire predictions by officials that “It could burn until the snow flies,” were picked up and broadcast by the news media. Cancellations started coming in almost immediately to the few remaining businesses that were not evacuated and were still open. “The days following the evacuation were filled answering cancellation after cancellation” said Craig Williams, of Ute Bluff Lodge Cabins & RV Park, which was outside the evacuation area. “Even though we were open during the whole time; apparently most thought we were closed as well.” Many business owners rightly blame the media hype for causing more problems than the fire itself, since no homes or structures were lost. Kent Wilson, owner of Lazy Bear Cabins in South Fork, said he was watching one of the news channels that had a split screen visual of two scenes reported to be of South Fork. One had a reporter outside of South Fork at the road block, the other video was of a firefighter on the porch of a house with fire raging in the background. “I could not understand it until I saw a watermark kind of faded out that read ‘Colorado Springs Wildfire,’” said Wilson. “I am bitter about how inconsiderate the press, Forest Service, etc. can be about others' livelihood.” Past president of the South Fork Chamber of Commerce and owner of Mountain Lighthouse and Gallery Glynn Polter, said the evacuation of the town and negative press from national and Denver television news stations really hurt business. “There was no follow-up from either saying we are fine,” said Polter. “Since the evacuation and aftermath happened during the busiest few
weeks of our entire year, it is almost impossible to make up for that business lost. It is great that people are in town now, but it is too little, too late.” Polter said people from Pagosa Springs have been wonderful, and she has had many more shoppers from there than ever before saying they have come to South Fork to shop and eat and help. Candice Hennigh, owner of Aspen Ridge RV Park, said the fires affected her on more of an emotional level even when the worst was over and the evacuations were lifted. “When we knew South Fork was out of danger, the emotional relief led to depression and wondering; what now?” said Hennigh. “To top it off, at a time the town needed something to do and something to look forward to, town events started to cancel.” Photo by Keith Cerny Hennigh said her guests at the park needed San Luis Valley firefighters mark off homes during the evacuation. some sense of moving on and to not let it seem the fires were punishing them for staying. Since the South Fork Fourth of July celebrations were cancelled, Hennigh said they decorated and had their own celebration on July 3. Poppy Borland, owner of Two Rivers Realty in South Fork, said they do real estate sales and vacation rentals and the fires have affected them in a very direct way. Hosselkus believes the fire has “opened BY TONI STEFFENS-STEWARD Borland said the most immediate impact CREEDE—The effects of the West Fork everybody’s eyes,” and they will be better was people cancelling their vacation rentals. Fire Complex were felt all throughout the prepared for another. The sheriff isn’t too July is typically the busiest month of the year Valley, but Creede, the tourism-reliant town worried that another fire will happen soon, in South Fork for Borland and it was nearly with only 500 year-round residents was one but they are, “definitely going to plan for it.” deserted. Property owners lost rental income Mineral County’s first responders worked of the hardest hit. and they lost on commissions. Tourism was first affected when the West throughout the fire, especially on the “Real estate sales have also hit bottom....the Fork Fire neared South Fork and eventually Papoose Fire. They did everything from worst summer for sales in South Fork in the closed off the road between South Fork and firefighting to communication and manning last ten years or more,” said Borland. “As we Creede. Sarah Wallace, public relations road closures. Many of the crew members are unable to generate income this summer, our manager for the Creede Repertory Theater, had just finished working the Streams Lake local spending will be cut drastically.” said the proximity, “created a lot of fear.” Fire when they were notified of the West Borland said they have less to spend in the People delayed their vacations and others Fork evacuations along 160 between Wolf Valley for advertising, shopping, meals out, Creek Pass and South Fork. cut their visits short. gas, entertainment and even groceries. “The This winter Hosselkus and others will The theatre ultimately cancelled just one trickle-down impact will be widespread.” work on improving their familiarity with show, due to the town being virtually shut Even though the fire danger has diminished, working alongside federal agencies. They off from prospective theatre-goers through the immediate future of South Fork and the the Valley. All of the other productions went will also stock up on wildland gear. Hoscommunities down Valley face further threats on. Once the rain came in and the smoke selkus and others had to borrow that gear from Mother Nature. cleared, Wallace said, they “started to see from the visiting firefighting stocks during Marty Asplin, trustee of the town of Del the West Fork Complex Fire. a real pick-up.” Norte, said the actual fire event made it apparNow, Hosselkus is looking into the future Some businesses were harder hit, includent how important it is to have a well-crafted, ing Mountain Man Rafting and the restau- for this burn area. He hopes that everyone tightly written, and defined emergency manrant at Cottonwood Cove. Both of those is especially cautious of falling trees and agement plan in place. remained closed throughout the summer urges them to “look up.” Signs will likely be “While there have been Rio Grande floods season. Wallace believes some of the dam- posted in burn areas to make visitors aware over the last century, the potential we are age was caused by state and national media of the danger. facing now will be the first time the water Luckily the burn areas don’t just represent focus on the area, most reported a worstwill be carrying debris, ash, silt and possibly danger; there are already signs of life there case scenerio for the area. Wallace and timber,” said Asplin. “This will put bridges, others worked hard, utilizing social media, too. Guinevere Nelson, coordinator for the irrigation diversions, homes, businesses and to get the word out that “we are not on fire.” Willow Creek Reclamation Committee said towns at risk.” Even as the fires were raging nearby, Min- "recovery, in terms of ecology, is already Asplin said he and other members of the eral County Sheriff Fred Hosselkus believes underway.” Plants, including grasses, flowsurrounding communities down river from the most of the area homes and businesses are ers and aspen, will start to grow this year areas affected by the fires have been looking “pretty well defensible.” The fires did not ever and next year. at possible solutions at mitigating the dangers cause the town, or most of the county to be of such events for quite some time. Please see CREEDE on Page 2 evacuated. Smoke was a concern for awhile. “Now, after the fires, we need to consider this as much more urgent,” said Asplin.
Creede 'picks up' as smoke clears, rain falls
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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2013
Drought contributes to forest fire worries BY SYLVIA LOBATO
MINERAL COUNTY — With the snowpack all but gone, exceptional drought continues, and this has brought concern on several levels. Southeast Colorado and the San Luis Valley are below 70 percent of average with many areas lower than 50 percent of average, according to the National Oceanographic and Athosperic Administration (NOAA). During July, while many other parts of Colorado received near average moisture for the month, the San Luis Valley was much drier than average. During the first week of August, however, the NOAA reports that the San Juan mountains fared the best, with widespread accumulations between .50 and 1 inch and some local totals between 1 and 2 inches Vigilance is still important, say forest managers. The U.S. Forest Service announced a ban on exploding targets Aug. 5, citing them as a major cause of wildfires, declaring this year’s fire season as far from over. The Water Resources Research Center (WRRC) in New Mexico says the current dry spell in the Rio Grande Basin is not unprecedented and will not be the last of its kind. Climate projections described in a Bureau of Reclamation report to Congress
suggest that temperatures throughout the basin could increase by 5–6 degrees, while annual precipitation will remain variable with a decrease of 2.3-2.5 percent by 2050. This would cause a decrease in the river’s average annual runoff by 7.3–14.4 percent. So, while it’s still dry in them th’ar hills, this year isn’t the driest on record and isn’t the driest yet to come, though it has hosted the largest wildfire in Colorado history, the 100,000-acre West Fork Complex Fire (WFCF), which scorched lands in the Rio Grande and San Juan national forests, as well as the Weminuche Wilderness. The fire with the largest loss tally was the Black Forest Fire near Colorado Springs, which brought the loss of close to 500 homes. Since the fire WFCF is considered only 66 percent contained, the prevailing drought is a concern, even with recent heavy rainfall. Mineral County Commissioner Don Hollenshead said he is concerned that, due to the lightning and thunder that has come along, another strike could trigger another wildfire. He said he had hiked into the area recently and observed that hot spots remain, despite rainfall and the efforts of firefighters. The initial wildfire began in Archuleta County and was started by lightning, according to the U.S. Forest Service, which points
out that the rapid spread of the fire into Mineral and Rio Grande counties was caused by wind and tinder-dry conditions, higher than average temperatures and vast amounts of beetle-killed spruce. Larry Tunell, a hydrologist with the National Weather Service in Denver, said a high-pressure system parked over the Rocky Mountains through late July prevented moisture from coming into the region, a problem that occurs about once every 10 years. Many thunderstorms forming over the region brought lightning and thunder but little rain. Now, with rainfall occurring in large amounts, eyes have naturally turned to the danger of runoff and flooding from the burn areas. The recently formed RWEACT (Rio Grande Watershed Emergency Action Coordination Team) plans include collecting water quality data and bringing in local hydrologist Bob Kirkham to further understand the watershed’s ability to accommodate sediment loads and the threats associated with the anticipated runoff. A United States Geological Survey model found effective in predicting flash flood events after the Waldo Canyon Fire is also being employed, along with additional stream gages and weather stations. The national forest approved helicopter ac-
cess to the Weminuche Wilderness Area to install the latter. The WFCF is burning in the wilderness area and is reportedly not considered a threat to people or structures, though wildlife managers have reported a loss of habitat for sheep, some of which died of asphyxiation. Last month, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper signed an executive order to provide West Fork aftermath efforts $2.5 million. According to the SLVPLC, the Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER), a national forest response team, analysis cost $70,000, and the initial emergency funding request is for $486,000. Response efforts have also secured a “Doppler on Wheels" for just under $70,000 for 40 days, and the Rio Grande National Forest expects to seek additional funding for post-wildfire needs. Conflicts between the doppler truck and existing internet service, especially around Creede, have brought increased efforts to install microwave transmissions, due to the fact that the radar system will be needed in the area to gauge weather and help locate potential flooding, as well as to see where lightning might strike. Only heavy snowfall will completely snuff the West Fork Fire and the NOAA is holding its cards close to the chest on that possibility.
Beetles strike state's trees BY JESSE MEDINA
Photo by John McEvoy
A media tour took reporters through beetle-killed, burnt trees.
Roots may become biomass BY SYLVIA LOBATO CREEDE — Before the West Fork Complex Fire (WFCF) began in Archuleta County, Mineral County residents began looking at biomass as a power source, and the fire’s destruction hasn’t dimmed interest. Biomass is material from plants and animals. Some kinds of biomass, commonly wood, can be burned to produce energy. The United States Forest Service (USFS) and local residents have been looking at biomass production as a way to reduce beetle kill, which has been blamed for much of the WFCF’s rapid spread, according to Creede businessman Ken Swinehart. Even though the fire burned many of the area’s trees, Swinehart said partially burned sticks still have some value, and lots of them remain. He pointed out that Durango is working on a biomass plant concept and the plant
is near groundbreaking. Mineral County Commissioner Don Hollenshead said the roots of the trees can be useful, since they rot after the tree is gone and can be beneficial for biomass. Biomass contains stored energy, and when it’s biomass is burned, this is released as heat. Many different kinds of biomass, such as wood chips, corn, and some types of garbage, are used to produce electricity. Other biomass can be converted into liquid fuels called biofuels that can power cars, trucks, and tractors. Leftover food products like vegetable oils and animal fats can create biodiesel, while other plants can be fermented to produce ethanol. Waste–to–energy power plants burn trash to produce electricity, according to natural energy information sources. Overalll, they generate enough electricity to supply 1.3 million U.S. homes.
SAN LUIS VALLEY– Beetles feasting on trees in the mountains are increasing the chances for fire danger. Forests around Colorado have seen significant damage from Mountain Pine Beetles killing the trees. They can kill trees in a large area, which leaves nothing but dead wood lying around. The dead wood is perfect fuel for wild fi res that can be started by any number of causes. Mountain Pine Beetles often kill large numbers of trees during outbreaks. The beetles usually attack old, damaged or diseased trees that are in overcrowded and/or drought areas. During large outbreaks, the beetles can attack healthy trees. The West Fork Fire occurred in an area with a substantial amount of beetle-killed trees and debris.“They (beetles) were a major contributor to the extreme nature of the fire,” said Colorado State Forest Service Forester Adam Moore. If a tree is infested there is nothing that can be done to save the tree. The spread of an outbreak is virtually impossible to predict, but attacked trees are usually next to trees that have been previously killed. The beetles are native to the forests of western North America. The beetle, formerly known as the Black Hills Beetle or Rocky Mountain Pine Beetle, can cause the loss of millions of trees during an outbreak. The beetles develop in pine trees like ponderosas, lodgepole, scotch and limber pines. The beetles have a one-year life expectancy. During the late summer the beetle leaves the tree it developed in to seek females. The pair will mate and form a vertical tunnel under the
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bark of the infected tree to lay approximately 75 eggs. Once the eggs hatch, the larvae tunnel from the egg and begin feeding. During the winter months the larvae stay under the bark. They will continue to feed in the spring and begin their pupation cycle around June and July. The newly formed adults can begin to emerge in late June through September, but the majority of beetles begin to emerge during late July and August. There are several ways in which to control outbreaks of the pine beetle. Natural controls include predators, like woodpeckers, insects and the clerid beetle that feeds on the adult and larval forms of the pine beetle. These controls only affect beetle numbers minimally and do little when a full outbreak is in affect. Cold temperatures can help to reduce beetle populations. An effective way to kill the beetle while it is in its larval stage is to remove the bark, which exposes the larvae to conditions that will kill it. Chemical methods of reducing the beetle have been used, but are not as effective. The best way to prevent outbreaks is forest management. A healthy forest is more resistant to beetle outbreaks. Clearing dead or diseased trees from an area can help prevent the beetle from spreading. The San Juan Mountains in the Valley are only a small percentage of the beetle problem in the state. Colorado forests are experiencing the beetles' devastating effects. The Spruce Beetle has replaced the Pine Beetle for killing more trees in the state. “In 2012, the Pine beetle effected over 11,000 acres in the state,” said Moore.
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The effect on local fish will depend on how much of the charcoal makes its way into the water. Currently, Nelson says, fishing is still good in the area. Nelson, like Hosselkus, is concerned about the potential of flash flooding in the area. She is optimistic the community can come together to help ensure the threat is not as bad as has
been seen recently in the Waldo Canyon area. Hosselkus is primarily concerned about the runoff next spring. Ultimately, everyone is optimistic about the area’s future. Wallace believes that the fire is in the past and right now the goal is to, “get people back in town.”
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2013
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Valley economies take a hit after forest fires BY JOHN MCEVOY
With thunderstorms over the Valley bringing monsoonal moisture nearly every day the past few weeks, the immediate danger from the still smoldering West Fork Fire Complex is all but over. The damage to the area economy however, will likely have far reaching implications for years to come. Businesses as far east and north as Crestone and Mosca that are physically far away from the immediate effects of the fires have been impacted. Jay Young, owner and manager of Colorado Gators Farm in Mosca, said the fires undoubtedly affected everyone’s business, but so did the drought and area fire bans. “People don’t want to camp in areas they can’t have a camp fire,” said Young. “I think what affected us the most at Colorado Gators was the national media focus on the Colorado Springs fires.” Young said it is hard when you rely on four months of business to pay your bills for the year. “Altogether this has led to a drop in business of about 20 percent in June, and about 13 percent in July. August has been decent so far,” said Young. “We have adjusted, are doing pretty good and we will survive.” Young said they did have to lay off a couple of people, which is difficult, and it has made more work for them, but they are used to it. On the far northwest end of the Valley lies Creede. Nestled beneath spectacular cliffs formed from ancient volcanic activity, this town is famous for its mining history and true Wild West feel which attracts visitors from all over the world. Surrounded by BLM and national forest, the area is rich in recreational possibilities for the outdoor enthusiast. The remoteness of the town is one of the main reasons people come to visit, and tourism is the primary source of income for most residents. With the road closures because of the fires, that very isolation became a huge impediment to the business of tourism. “You will be hard pressed to find a business in or around Creede that was not negatively
impacted by the fires,” said Keith Siddel, resident and business owner. “All lost business, some lost employees who left rather than wait the fire out and most will feel the effect on the bottom line for years to come.” There have been a number of recent initiatives by various governmental and private entities to help businesses impacted by the fires. The Small Business Administration is making low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans available to small businesses economically impacted by the West Fork Fire Complex. The SBA’s Colorado District Director Greg Lopez explained how the loans may help sustain small businesses. “These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact,” said Lopez. “Disaster loans can provide vital economic assistance to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.” Senator Larry Crowder paid a visit to Creede Friday July 19 to make a point to the media and public that Creede is still alive despite the recent fires. “We are trying to promote Creede and the rest of the upper Rio Grande as much as we can,” said Crowder. “We are trying to get the word out that places are open for business.” Several people gathered at the courthouse for the event agreed that the television media had contributed to the misconception that Creede and South Fork were burned and gone. “Unfortunately, people like those destructive photos,” said Crowder. “They sell more,” said Jessica Jackson, the artistic director of Creede Repertory Theater (CRT). “We are taking a pretty big hit because of it. Business is down by about 35 percent.” There are several promotional campaigns in the works to get the word out that Creede, South Fork and the Valley are still here. The surrounding chambers of commerce are all making a concerted effort at marketing to bring tourism business back to the area. Poppy Borland, owner of Two Rivers
Photo by John McEvoy
A young baseball player welcomes firefighters to downtown Del Norte. Businesses have struggled throughout the summer, but most remain optimistic. Realty in South Fork, said she felt the media failed to follow up on the aftermath of the fires to let people outside of the area know that the fires were out and that most summer activities were still running. Borland also said the local tourism board came up with a plan to attract visitors but it was too little, too late. “The tourism board mounted a weak effort to promote the area with t-shirts and bumper stickers and the people who got those were already here,” said Borland. “The Valley needs a strong marketing campaign, such as the one that Canon City is doing, to attract visitors back for next summer and even this winter.” Stephen Crawford, owner of Wildwood Fine Furniture and Signs and the concert venue Wildwood Sounds in Del Norte, said that he lost several jobs due to the fires. “When you live check to check those jobs become mighty important. All of a sudden we
Wolf Creek stands strong B Y S YLVIA LOBATO WOLF CREEK — With light snow already falling elsewhere in Colorado, Wolf Creek Ski Area is resting up after a long, and worrisome, summer. In July, firefighters were able to contain the 700-acre Windy Pass Fire by connecting stands of Aspen trees, meadows, rocky fields and existing roads, saving the ski area and its chairlifts from burning to the ground. The Windy Pass Fire, a relatively small wildfire part of the larger West Fork Complex Fire (WFCF) that had burned almost 100,000 acres by the first of July, was climbing up the backside of Wolf Creek Photo courtesy of Colorado State Patrol Troop A but was stopped a quarter of a mile before Increased fire activity on the Ox Cart Fire fully contained in early July.
Saguache County fires fully contained
SAGUACHE COUNTY — The 1,152acre Ox Cart Fire, six miles southeast of Poncha Pass was fully contained July 2 and the last hotshot crew was released, Rio Grande Forest fire public information officer Mike Blakeman reported July 3. Mike Blakeman, public affairs specialist, SLV Public Lands Center and fire public information officer, has covered the fires since they first began providing the following: Fire personnel with the San Luis Valley Interagency Fire Management Unit continued to monitor the fire for a brief time following its containment. Three 20-person hotshot crews; three 20-person Type 2 handcrews; two Type 6 engines; one Type 3 and one Type 2 helicopters were on scene at the height of the fire and \additional firefighter crews and aviation were on standby. At one point, helicopters were unable to fly to fight the fire due to wind, but
had money worries,” said Crawford. “Living next to the fire station we got to experience just how supportive the town of Del Norte is during a crisis. I must say I was rather proud to be a Del Nortien.” The entire San Luis Valley and surrounding areas have all been adversely affected by the recent fires in some way. Not only is the Valley rich with a history in mining, agriculture and tourism, the people who live here have learned how to survive by helping to support one another through hard times for generations. “We have learned how to deal with adversity simply by living here at 9,000 feet,” said Eric Grossman, mayor of Creede. “The old western feel that our country was founded on still lives here in Creede.” Although Grossman was speaking specifically about Creede when he said that, it rings true for the entire Valley. "We will survive."
fire crews watched the situation from the Howard area. Smoke was clearly visible from both sides of the northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The Ox Cart Fire was managed in accordance with a strategic fire plan based on wilderness management objectives. A fire line was constructed to confine the fire on the west side of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Full suppression tactics were used on the east side of the mountains when the fire escalated. The Trickle Mountain Fire, located 14 miles northwest of Saguache in a large island of timber surrounded by meadows, is now reported at 100 percent containment after destroying 277 acres. Another fire near Sheep Creek, 20 miles northwest of Saguache, burned 21 acres, but is now reported as 100 percent contained. For more information, visit the Rio Grande National Forest website at http:// www.fs.usda.gov/riogrande.
it reached the ski area’s boundaries. Early rumors said the lodge at Wolf Creek Ski Area had been lost, but that was prevented as fire raged on both sides of the remote resort. On July 6, before taking a break and awaiting snowfall, the ski area reported, “Wolf Creek Ski Area is out of danger from the fires that were burning in the San Juan and Rio Grande National Forests, as well as the Weminuche Wilderness.” According to the National Oceanographic and Atomspheric Administration (NOAA), some Colorado mountains have already experienced snowfall, so that may be the next weather highlight for Wolf Creek, Colorado’s oldest ski area.
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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2013
Rio Grande Forest fires impact far-reaching BY TERESA L. BENNS
SAN LUIS VALLEY — Just back from a tour of the West Fork Fire Complex burn area with Sen. Scott Tipton’s staff, public affairs specialist and fire officer Mike Blakeman with the Public Lands Office says signs of recovery already are blanketing the forest floor. The West Fork Fire Complex burned 109,600 acres and cost $33 million to bring under control. But with the help of recent rains a carpet of aspen trees now surrounds the blackened timbers and with it the cycle of rebirth begins, as the sheltering arms of the aspen trees will protect new fir and pine growth. “The fire didn’t destroy the vegetation’s root systems, and even more aspens will pop up next spring,” Blakeman reported. “I expect to see 10-20,000 sprouts per acre. After the Million Fire there were 16,000 spouts per acre there.” When asked about the impact the protracted burn had on the forest itself, Blakeman gave a comprehensive overview of the broad effects of the fires.
Wildlife Nearly all of the larger animals and birds were able to move into open meadows ahead of the fires, Blakeman noted, although some deer and elk died of smoke inhalation and falling trees. Smaller animals, such as red squirrels and nesting birds were more greatly affected, since their habitat is in the trees or in burrows. While many of these animals lost their habitat, the new vegetation now growing in the forest will be “pretty nutritious” for deer and elk, rabbits and other omnivores, Blakeman said. Trees While many of the spruce trees that burned in the fire were already dead from beetle kill, the flames also consumed sub-alpine firs and spruce that survived the beetles. In some case aspen groves also burned, although aspen does not burn as easily as other trees. “You’re going to see a big change,” he explained. “After a disturbance like this [the forest] tends to favor some plant and wildlife species over others, creating a mosaic across the landscape that adds to the diversity of life.”
Photos by John McEvoy
Above, a helicopter drops retardant on the Papoose fire in Mineral County. Above right, a colorful view was seen during the fires in July.
Forest regrowth following a fire BY JESSE MEDINA
SAN LUIS VALLEY– Forest regrowth following a forest fi re is a slow process. Depending on the size of the fi re, it can take many years before the forest is able to recover. In some instances, the forest may never fully recover. Regrowth for the West Fork Fire Complex will take time. A major issue following a forest fire is unprotected soil. Without trees and other plants to solidify soil, it can rapidly erode which can lead to disasters like mud and rock slides. Soil can also erode away leaving the ground in the area without quality nutrients that are necessary for the growth of plants and trees. Other post fire concerns include attempts to minimize insect outbreaks among firestressed trees and reducing the potential for fire outbreaks in the future. Tree regeneration after a fire is the primary objective for managing and restoring a fi re-damaged area. Naturally, trees and
other plants can regrow in an area that has experienced a fire, provided that severe soil erosion has not occurred. The severity of a fire depends on the amount of fuel for it to burn. Areas that are more prone to fires usually have less dead wood and debris lying around because it is burned more frequently. Areas that accumulate dead wood from fallen or dying trees become more likely to experience a high-intensity fire. The fires do clear the area and allow for regrowth and new growth of other plants. The West Fork Fire Complex was a large and intense fi re that burned a large area. Regrowth in that area will be slow. “It’s going to be a very patchy natural regeneration because in areas that had really intense fire damage lose their seed sources. You won’t get trees in that area for several years,” said Colorado State Forest Service Forester Adam Moore. Grass is usually the first plant to resurface following a fire.
Some trees burned in the Million Fire are still standing, he said, and the same will be true years from now of trees in the West Fork Fire Complex area. One theory disproven in this fire, Blakeman, said was that beetle-kill spruce won’t crown during a hot fire like beetle-kill pine crowns. “Fire carries on dead spruce just fine,” he said, explaining that the lower levels of the spruce trees provide a “leg up” for the flames which then climb a ladder of dry, damaged branches to reach the tops of the trees. Forest personnel The toll in man-hours on forest service personnel also has to be taken into consideration, Blakeman pointed out. Employees were prevented from engaging in their regular duties and had to move fire teams and other personnel back and forth between stations. People had to be transported to local airports. The Forest Service received many calls from tourists checking on closures and campsite availability. Employees put in more hours each day and Blakeman said for several days he was at the office for 15 hours at a time. For-
tunately during wildfires, however, personnel can collect overtime.
Community Evacuations and closures greatly hurt businesses in the community just when tourist season was flourishing. But Blakeman observed that other impacts weren’t as well appreciated. A load of timber waiting to be transported that was already paid for burned in the fire and cattle grazing in the high country was halted. Outfitters can't operate during a wildfire. And there will be mudslides along burn areas and flooding and debris problems that follow every fire. “So these impacts go way beyond the obvious,” he commented. But in the final analysis, “Fires are part of the forest’s ecosystem, like flooding is part of river ecology,” Blakeman observed. “We had two dry winters, severe fire weather, lightning strikes — I don’t know if you can blame this all on the dead spruce.” And as Blakeman and others have noted before, these fires were raging in the West before the settlers came, and will continue to burn long after we are gone.