Phil Bowden explained the results of a modeling program

Phil Bowden explained the results of a modeling program on crown fire behavior during various stages of pine beetle infestation in “typical lodgepole pine stands” (low surface fuel loads & high tree crowns).  He identified three stages, red phase (5-8 years into the infestation), gray phase, and out year phase (25+ years). The pre beetle condition w2s the baseline phase.

The results showed that without infestation, the wind speed required to initiate a crown fire in these typical lodgepole pine would be 300 mph and then 5 mph to spread the fire. The dry crowns during red phase lessens the wind speed required for crown fire outbreak to 130 mph, with five mph winds needed to spread the fire. During the gray phase, 200 mph winds would be needed to initiate a fire, but since most needles have fallen to the ground, a 30 mph wind will spread the fire (Only in patches were crowns are left).  During out years phase, the odds that a fire spreads rapidly are high.

Phil also used a series of charts to illustrate crown fire behavior under extreme weather conditions:

1. Before pine beetle infestation, crown fires might reach 120 feet in flame length, spreading at 160 feet per minute;
2. Red phase: 240 foot flame length, spreading 450 feet per minute;
3. Gray Phase: 40 foot flame length, spreading 120 feet per minute (Only in patches were crowns are left);
4. Out years: 70 foot flame length, spreading 150 per minute.

Phil recommended aspen growth be encouraged around home sites. Since the spread of fire at the surface is extremely low and crown fires nonexistent, aspen groves provide for exceptional defensible space.

In closing, he reviewed four actions to maximize fire safety:

1. Aggressive fire prevention and public education;
2. Cooperative fuels projects in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI);
3. Shaded fuelbreaks outside the WUI by regenerating and encouraging aspen growth; and
4. Fuelbreaks between the WUI and Wilderness Areas

A PDF version of Phil Bowden’s presentation is available here.

Dan Gibbs from US Representative Mark Udall’s office delivered an update on the status of theRocky Mountain Forest Insects Response Enhancement & Support  (FIRES) Act, just introduced in Congress. The bill, cosponsored by Representative John Salazar, had undergone extensive review and comment by a number of local groups, including members of this task force.

The Rocky Mountain FIRES legislation may be viewed here.

For Representative Udall’s supporting comments, click here..

The legislation has been endorsed by the following groups: Northwest Colorado Council of Governments, the Summit County Republican Party, The Blue River Group of the Sierra Club and the Summit County Board of County Commissioners.

Dan asked the task force to endorse the bill. A motion was made and seconded, with approval by acclamation. He also suggested that local homeowner associations and residents write all nine members of  Colorado’s Congressional Delegation urging passage of the FIRES Bill.

Bob French wondered if since it may take up to two years for passage of any bill, was there a way the Forest Service might be able to authorize HOA and other property owner projects planned for  this spring and summer.