Today’s forest health outreach update covers the following topics:
* Forestry Tip of the Day: Volunteer as a Community Forestry Sort Yard Host
* Outreach Event: Free Wildfire Mitigation Community Training in the Sugarloaf Community this week!
* Seasonal Job Opening: Now Recruiting for a Seasonal Forestry Sort Yard Technician

*Forestry Tip of the Day: Volunteer as a Community Forestry Sort Yard Host
Forestry Tip of the Day: We hope everyone is enjoying the snowy winter-like weather today and staying safe on the roads. It sure is nice, awesome, great, splendid, fabulous, etc. to have fairly consistent spring moisture this year! On snowy days like today it is hard to believe that the Nederland sort yard site will reopen in just over two weeks, on May 1.

Speaking of the sort yard; we are still seeking community volunteers to help us out at both the Nederland and Allenspark locations.Volunteer Sort Yard Hosts greet people as they enter the yard, collect data on the material they are delivering, and provide information about forest ecology, bark beetles, and wildfire mitigation. Volunteers will not be responsible for helping unload materials. We are looking for volunteers who can commit to 4 hour shifts and 15 hours per month.

The Nederland Sort Yard will operate May to July from 9am to 5pm, Tuesday through Saturday. September through October it will operate on Friday and Saturday. Application deadline for the Nederland Sort Yard have been extended and are now due by April 30th.

The Meeker Park Sort Yard will operate May to June from 9am to 5pm on Friday and Saturday. July to October it will operate Tuesday through Saturday. Application deadline for the Meeker Park Sort Yard is May 10th.

For more information and an application, contact Shane Milne at 303-678-6089 or smilne@bouldercounty.org.

Why is this important?  Volunteering as a sort yard host is a great way to give back and stay connected with your local community. Sort yard hosts will learn about forest ecology, bark beetle management, wildfire mitigation and meet inspiring landowners who are being great stewards of their backyard forest!

*Event: Free Wildfire Mitigation Community Training for the Sugarloaf Community this week!
When: Thursday, April 18, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Where: Sugarloaf Fire House # 2, 1360 Sugarloaf Road
What: Educational program focused on wildfire mitigation and upcoming community chipping event

Program Description: Learn about simple actions you can take to dramatically improve the chances of your home surviving the next wildfire. Our understanding about how homes are lost in wildfires is changing. Learn the latest science available and lessons learned from last summer’s Waldo Canyon Wildfire.

Program Highlights:
*Hear about our planned Community Chipping Days
*Sign-up for the discounted curbside chipping program (geographic restrictions exist)
*Learn about simple spring maintenance tips to better prepare your home for wildfires
*Understand the latest wildfire mitigation science
*Learn how to retrofit your home to be more fire-resistant

Community Chipping Program: Boulder County recently awarded Sugarloaf Fire Protection District a community chipping reimbursement grant to help the community set up a curbside chipping program. This year Sugarloaf FPD will host two “curbside chipping events”, on May 15 and Oct. 15. Please join us at this community meeting if you are interested in learning more and taking advantage of the heavily discounted chipping program. If you cannot attend and/or have questions please call CB Bassity, Sugarloaf Firefighter, at 720-406-7835.

Program Sponsors: Sugarloaf Fire Protection District and Boulder County.

*Seasonal Job Opening: Now Recruiting for a Seasonal Forestry Sort Yard Technician
Boulder County’s Parks and Open Space Department has an opening for a Seasonal Forestry Sort Yard Technician. The Forestry Sort Yard Technician performs a variety of skilled and semi-skilled duties related to the daily operation of the Community Forestry Sort Yard program.

This position will work full time hours, Tuesdays through Saturdays, and will report to the Parks and Open Space building in Longmont. Salary $15 hourly (dependent on qualifications). We hope to hire for this position as soon as possible. The position is open until filled.  Qualified applicants should have a minimum of two years course study in Forestry, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Sciences, or a related field and/or equivalent experience.

This posting only includes a short description of job duties and required qualifications. To receive a complete job description or ask questions please contact Wayne Harrington, sort yard manager, by emailing wharrington@bouldercounty.org. Please contact us asap if you are interested in this exciting job opportunity.

Cheers,
Ryan

Ryan Ludlow | Forestry Education & Outreach Coordinator
Boulder County | Land Use Department
O: 720.564.2641 | F: 303.441.4856
rludlow@bouldercounty.org | www.bouldercounty.org/ForestHealth
*Please visit our website to sign-up to receive emails about forestry workshops, community meetings, bark beetle management tips and more!   

Today’s forest health outreach update covers the following topics:
* Forestry Tip of the Day: Help Us Design Forestry Programs that Meet Your Needs
* Announcement: Nederland and Allenspark Community Forestry Sort Yards to Open in May
* Now Recruiting Volunteer Sort Yard Hosts – We need your help! 

*Forestry Tip of the Day: Help Us Design Forestry Programs that Meet Your Needs 
Forestry Tip of the Day: We are currently planning our spring calendar of forestry outreach events and would like your input on programming content. Please let us know about specific topics you would like to see offered at future trainings. For instance are you interested in learning about basic tree identification? How about ponderosa pine restoration? Or aspen enhancement? Stay in touch and let us know how we can improve the effectiveness of our programs.

Forest Health Outreach Community Meetings: Did you know our Forest Health Outreach Program is available to work with HOAs, Fire Protection Districts, and individual neighborhoods to set up local community forestry trainings? Just give us a call to schedule a date. We will customize the program content and date to meet your community’s needs.

Firewise Landscaping Workshop in Nederland: We are hosting a free “Firewise Landscaping workshop” at the Nederland Community Center on Saturday, May 11 from 9 a.m to 12:30 p.m. Program Description: Defensible space does not mean moonscape: Learn how to transform your home’s perimeter into an area that you can not only use, but looks good and helps protect your home from wildfires.  This workshop is being offered in partnership by Boulder County, Colorado State Forest Service, CSU Extensions in Gilpin County and the US Forest Service.

We need your photos! Does your home have fun and attractive examples of d-space incorporating patio design and pathways? If yes, we would like to share and highlight your hard work at our Firewise Landscaping workshop. Please email us photos of your beautiful and fire-resistant outdoor spaces!

Why is this important?  Boulder County strongly believes that a key to helping mitigate the problems that face our forests is having a knowledgeable, well-educated population that understands the ecology that drives our local forests. We want to empower and encourage all forest landowners to be active stewards of their disturbance-driven forests.

*Announcement: Nederland and Allenspark Community Forestry Sort Yards to Open in May
We are pleased to announce the Community Forestry Sort Yard operating schedule for 2013. Two sort yard locations are open each summer to provide residents a free of charge location to dispose of logs and slash cut from their land.

Allenspark/Meeker Park Sort Yard 
8200 Hwy 7, Allenspark

• Spring hours: Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 24^th thru June 15^th
• Summer/Fall hours: Tuesday thru Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 30^th thru Oct. 19^th

Nederland Area Sort Yard
291 Ridge Road, Nederland

• Spring hours: Tuesday thru Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 1^st thru July 6^th (closed July 4^th)
• Summer/Fall hours: Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 20^th thru Oct. 12^th (these dates are tentative)

As a reminder the sort yards do not accept yard clippings, raked up pine needles, root balls, construction materials, dirt, furniture, household trash or wood with metal in it. Sort yard staff will refuse loads that contain unacceptable items. The Community Forestry Sort Yards may have additional closures during the open season due to weather, staff training or other administrative requirements. To check the operational status of a sort yard please call 303-678-6368.

*Now Recruiting Volunteer Sort Yard Hosts – We need your help!
Boulder County is seeking individuals who are interested in volunteering as a Sort Yard Host at the Allenspark and Nederland sites. Volunteers help make sure that sort yards continue to be a local hub of community-based forestry information.

Volunteer Sort Yard Hosts will greet people as they enter the yard, collect data on the material they are delivering, and provide information about forest ecology, bark beetles, and wildfire mitigation. Volunteers will not be responsible for helping unload materials. We are looking for volunteers who can commit to 4 hour shifts and 15 hours per month.

Application deadline for the Meeker Park Sort Yard is May 10th. Application deadline for the Nederland Sort Yard is April 19th. For more information and an application, contact Shane Milne at 303-678-6089 or smilne@bouldercounty.org.

Cheers,
Ryan

Ryan Ludlow | Forestry Education & Outreach Coordinator 
Boulder County | Land Use Department
O: 720.564.2641 | F: 303.441.4856
rludlow@bouldercounty.org | www.bouldercounty.org/ForestHealth
*Please visit our website to sign-up to receive emails about forestry workshops, community meetings, bark beetle management tips and more!

Today’s forest health outreach update covers the following topics:
* Forestry Tip of the Day: Enjoy the Snow and Watch this Animated Forestry Video
* Reminder: Applications for the 2013 Community Chipping Reimbursement Program are due Friday
* Reminder: Tax Subtraction “Wildfire Mitigation Subtraction Measures”

* Forestry Tip of the Day: Enjoy the Snow and Watch this Animated Forestry Video
Forestry Tip of the Day: We hope everyone is enjoying the fresh blanket of snow! We sure needed the moisture. Hopefully this spring will brings many more upslope storms.

Today we thought we would share a short video produced by the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies titled “What’s Happening to our Forests”. This 4 minute animated short film outlines the issues affecting our forests on a national level. Watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1vQAWmduM4&feature=youtu.be

Why is this important?  …videos are fun… Here is another cool video by local Boulder photographer James Balog showing time lapse footage of lodgepole pine decline. Watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtYGJQiv8tY&feature=youtu.be

* Reminder: Applications for the 2013 Community Chipping Reimbursement Program are due Friday March 1
Applications for the 2013 Boulder County Community Chipping Reimbursement Program are due this Friday, March 1. We have already received several great community applications. Make sure to not miss out on this exciting program!

This reimbursement program encourages mountain communities to come together and conduct community-based chipping events. Boulder County encourages all residents to perform effective wildfire mitigation on their land and to be active stewards of their backyard forests. Subject to prior approval, the County will reimburse up to 50% of direct costs up to a maximum of $4,000 per community application.

Complete details about the 2013 program and an application are available on our website here:http://www.bouldercounty.org/live/environment/land/Pages/chippingreimbursement.aspx

* Reminder: Tax Subtraction “Wildfire Mitigation Subtraction Measures”
Tax time is once again upon us so we thought we would repost information about the State of Colorado “Wildfire Mitigation Measures Subtraction” program; available for the income tax years 2009 through 2013. You might be eligible to subtract from your federal taxable income 50% of the costs incurred while performing wildfire mitigation measures that meet the specified qualifications.

Complete details about this program including qualifications and limitations are available on the Colorado Department of Revenue’s FYI Income 65 fact sheet.  Weblink: http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite?blobcol=urldata&blobheader=application%2Fpdf&blobkey=id&blobtable=MungoBlobs&blobwhere=1251781330468&ssbinary=true

Please contact the State of Colorado directly if you have questions. The program is administered by the State of Colorado Department of Revenue. In case you were curious, all forest landowners in Boulder County have an authorized Boulder County-wide Community Wildfire Protection Plan. This is a requirement to participate in this program. Many landowners in the county also have a locally approved Community Wildfire Protection Plan.

Cheers,
Ryan

Ryan Ludlow | Forestry Education & Outreach Coordinator 
Boulder County | Land Use Department
P.O. Box 471, Boulder CO 80306
O: 720.564.2641 | F: 303.441.4856
rludlow@bouldercounty.org | www.bouldercounty.org/ForestHealth
*Please visit our website to sign-up to for our Forest Health Outreach email communication list. Learn about upcoming forestry community meetings, wildfire mitigation, bark beetle management tips and more!

Today’s forest health outreach update covers the following topics:
* Forestry Tip of the Day: The Bark Beetle Outreach has Slowed Dramatically
* Call for Applications: 2013 Boulder County Community Chipping Reimbursement Program

* Forestry Tip of the Day: The Bark Beetle Outreach has Slowed Dramatically
Forestry Tip of the Day: We have great news to share! The U.S. Forest Service and Colorado State Forest Service recently released the latest information about the spread of mountain pine beetle (mpb) outbreak. For the fourth consecutive year in a row we have seen a significant reduction in mpb spread and intensity!

To give you an idea about how the beetle outbreak has progressed in Boulder County let’s look back at the past three years of beetle activity. In 2010 Boulder County saw 26,000 acres of newly impacted forests. In 2011 mountain pine beetle populations declined to only 16,000 acres of newly impacted forest, and in 2012 the numbers are down even more to only 1,000 acres of newly impacted forest. In Boulder County we do still have a couple of hot pockets of heavy mpb infestation. However, in most areas throughout Boulder County the outbreak has been collapsing in front of our eyes.

To read more about the annual forest health aerial survey please visit the following websites:
* A press release to the official 2012 Aerial Forest Health Survey can be found here: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/r2/home/?cid=stelprdb5408857
* Statistics about the bark beetle outbreak and frequently asked questions are available here: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/r2/home/?cid=stelprdb5408531

Why is this important?  We don’t have a crystal ball that can predict the future, but all signs are pointing toward continued declining mountain pine beetle populations. Your hard work fighting beetles on your land over the past few years is paying off and perhaps Mother Nature is giving our forest a much needed break. This is the first time in more than 4 years that we might be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Yippee, can we all jump up and down and celebrate our hard work and dedication to beetle tree removal yet?

Keep in mind, right now is a very important time to continue surveying for and removing the last remaining hot pockets of beetles. When mpb populations are fairly low or declining private landowners can have a much bigger impact on local beetle populations if they survey for and remove as many infested trees as possible. The work you do in late winter and spring of this year could greatly reduce total impacts from beetles in your local forest. As a reminder, if you need help identifying beetle infested trees please reference our Bark Beetle Inspector Field Guide (http://www.bouldercounty.org/find/library/environment/barkbeetlefieldguide.pdf) or give us a call.

* Call for Applications: 2013 Boulder County Community Chipping Reimbursement Program
Boulder County is offering financial assistance to encourage mountain communities to conduct community-based chipping events. Boulder County encourages all residents to perform effective wildfire mitigation on their land and to be active stewards of their backyard forests.

One of the biggest obstacles homeowners face when managing their backyard forest is disposing of slash. This community chipping program helps addresses the problem of slash disposal and encourages community members to work together to accomplish their shared goals.

This program will only reimburse communities for direct costs related to chipping or transportation costs. Reimbursement is not available for tree cutting costs. Last year in 2012, the County awarded $18,500 to nine communities in Boulder County.

Subject to prior approval, the County will reimburse up to 50% of direct costs up to a maximum of $4,000 per community. Community applications are due by March 1, 2013.

We have made several updates to the program in 2013. Please make sure to carefully read the program overview fact sheet(http://www.bouldercounty.org/find/library/build/2013bocochippingprogram.pdf) for complete details about the program.

Here is a quick snapshot of the updates for 2013 program:
* Communities are now eligible for 50% reimbursement.
* Each community must offer a forest health outreach community meeting prior to their chipping event.
* Projects which are determined to be a “volunteer based community chipping project” may be eligible to count volunteer time as in-kind match.
* Boulder County will prioritize funding toward three specific types of projects. Complete details about each type of project can be found on the program overview fact sheet.
* Reimbursement paperwork is due 30 days after project completion.
* Chipping events that support the establishment of Firewise Communities/USA or the programing of established Firewise Communities/USA will be prioritized for funding.

Important Documents and Application Form:
* Program Overview and Requirements Fact Sheet: Please make sure to carefully read this document before applying!http://www.bouldercounty.org/find/library/build/2013bocochippingprogram.pdf
*Application Form (Due by March 1, 2013) http://www.bouldercounty.org/find/library/build/2013fhchippingappform.docx
* Main Community Chipping Program website: http://www.bouldercounty.org/live/environment/land/Pages/chippingreimbursement.aspx

In order for your community to receive consideration, please submit a program Application Form (http://www.bouldercounty.org/find/library/build/2013fhchippingappform.docx)and an IRS W-9 form by email to rludlow@bouldercounty.org, by no later than March 1, 2013.

Please feel free to share this email with other community members and community groups who may be interested in this program. Feel free to contact us directly with any questions. We look forward to reviewing your applications!

Cheers,
Ryan

Ryan Ludlow | Forestry Education & Outreach Coordinator 
Boulder County | Land Use Department
O: 720.564.2641 | F: 303.441.4856
rludlow@bouldercounty.org | www.bouldercounty.org/ForestHealth
*Please visit our website to sign-up to for our Forest Health Outreach eNewsletter. Learn about upcoming forestry community meetings, wildfire mitigation, bark beetle management tips and more!

Today’s forest health outreach update covers the following topics:
*Forestry Tip of the Day: Red Flag Warning for Today 1/24/13
*Western Disposal is Open Year-Round for Yard Waste Disposal

*Forestry Tip of the Day: Red Flag Warning for Today 1/24/13
Forestry Tip of the Day: The National Weather Service has issued a RED FLAG WARNING for today 1/24/13. There is no open burning allowed during RED FLAG WARNINGS.

Why is this important?  A Red Flag Warning is a short term, temporary warning issued by the National Weather Service indicating the presence of dangerous combinations of temperature, wind, and relative humidity, fuel or drought conditions which can contribute to new fires or rapid spread of existing fires.

This important message comes to you from Boulder County’s Sheriff Office.
Jay Stalnacker
Fire Management Officer / SWAT
Boulder County Sheriff’s Office

*Western Disposal is Open Year-Round for Yard Waste Disposal
As a reminder, county residents may use the county’s and the city of Boulder’s year-round yard waste drop-off site to disposal of yard waste for a fee. Boulder County residents pay 60% of the per ton cost, Boulder County subsidizes the remaining costs. You can drop off pine needles and grass clippings as well as slash and logs up to 6 inches in diameter. Western Disposal site is located at 5880 Butte Mill Road in east Boulder. For complete details please visit http://www.westerndisposal.com/yard_waste.php or call (303)-444-2037.

Cheers,
Ryan

Ryan Ludlow | Forestry Education & Outreach Coordinator 
Boulder County | Land Use Department
O: 720.564.2641 | F: 303.441.4856
rludlow@bouldercounty.org | www.bouldercounty.org/ForestHealth
*Please visit our website to sign-up to receive emails about forestry workshops, community meetings, bark beetle management tips and more!

Today’s forest health outreach update covers the following topics:
*Forestry Tip of the Day: Enjoy the snow!
*Wildfire Mitigation Challenge Outreach: Week Number Four – Retrofitting your Home
*October Wildfire Awareness Month: Chipping Day in Coal Creek on Sunday Oct. 28

*Forestry Tip of the Day: Enjoy the snow! 
Forestry Tip of the Day: It sure is nice to see some white fluffy snow on the ground today. We hope everyone stays safe as they navigate the slippery roads. Snow means the ski season is approaching (can you tell that I am a skier?) and the risk of wildfire is reduced when snow is on the ground.

We are in the final week of October Wildfire Awareness Month and the Wildfire Mitigation Challenge. One hundred and twenty-three landowners have already joined theChallenge and begun taking action on their land. If you haven’t signed up for the challenge yet there is still time to enter to win prizes. The deadline to enter is October 31, 2012.

Here is a quick snapshot of total participation in the Challenge by Fire Protection District:  Boulder Mountain 29, Nederland 16, Sugarloaf 14, Lefthand 11, Timberline 9, Gold Hill 8, Allenspark 7, Fourmile and Rocky Mountain each with 5, Coal Creek and City of Boulder each with 4, Boulder Rural, Sunshine, Jamestown each with 3 and City of Longmont with 1.

Why is this important??   The Fire Protection District with the highest percentage of landowners signed up by the end of the month will win a free county sponsored community chipping day in 2013!

*Wildfire Mitigation Challenge Outreach: Week Number Four – Retrofitting your Home
* Thanks to everyone who already signed up for the Wildfire Mitigation Challenge. The following information complements week # 4 challenge checklist tasks.

The theme for week four of the Challenge is “retrofitting your home.” Most homes in unincorporated Boulder County were built before our county wildfire mitigation building regulations were put in place. Older homes without fire resistant construction are at greater risk for loss during future fires. Home survival data from the Fourmile fire clearly demonstrates the benefits of ignition resistant building materials. Homes built before our wildfire mitigation regulations went into place saw a 62% survival rate during the Fourmile Fire. Homes built after our wildfire mitigation building regulations were put in place jump from 62% to 84% survival rates, a 35% increase. In addition, as we strengthened our building codes over time we observed 100% survival rates (10 out of 10) on homes built from 2000-2010.

If your home is built out of flammable building materials there are many possibilities to retrofit with fire resistant materials. There are also many ways to work with the materials you have and still implement effective wildfire mitigation on your land. We won’t be able to cover all retrofit options in this eNewsletter edition, but look for workshops next summer focused on retrofitting your home with ignition resistant building materials.

When evaluating a homes building materials we try to encourage landowners to stop looking at your home as a home and instead start looking at it like any other wildland “fuel.” To evaluate the strengths and weakness of your home, start at the roof and work down toward the foundation. Older homes often ignite because thousands of flying embers enter cracks, holes and openings on siding, vents, roof lines, and garage doors.  The take home message is: If your home does not ignite, it will not burn.

An easy first step is to check to make sure all attic, crawl space and soffit vents have corrosion-resistant 1/8 inch sized wire mesh screening attached. Another easy step is to make sure that nothing flammable is stored on top of and under your flammable decks. Also make sure you have a non-flammable barrier of 3-5 feet surrounding all walls, decks and outbuildings.

Here are a few more questions to ask yourself:
*Does your home have fire resistant roofing materials? Does it have metal flashing on the chimneys and along complicated rooflines to prevent embers from collecting and igniting wooden siding? Are there any gaps in the shingles or other opens on the roof that could let in embers? Do you have plastic skylights that could melt?
*What are your gutters made out of? Are they filled with pine needles and leaves? Metal gutters will hold up better against embers than vinyl gutters.
*What type of siding material is the home constructed out of? Are there a lot of gaps, holes and rotten wood present? If yes, embers might penetrate this outer layer and ignite the hidden flammable material behind the siding. Some holes can be filled with cocking and rotten boards can be replaced or possibly reattached to the wall.
*Do you have double paned and even better tempered glass installed in all windows?
*Are there cracks and openings on garage doors, front doors or dog doors that embers could penetrate? If yes, can you attach weather stripping and other materials to prevent ember intrusion into these areas?
*Are your accessory structures like sheds and detached garages well mitigated as well? If they ignite will they have the potential to ignite your home?

This week we challenge you to critically evaluate your home and begin researching options and costs related to retrofitting your home. Start developing a plan and work incrementally toward your final goal.

*October Wildfire Awareness Month: Final Chipping Day in Coal Creek on Sunday Oct. 28
Wildfire Awareness Month is quickly winding down and we hope everyone was able to join us at some of the events and activities. A major goal of the month long campaign is to help residents learn about living with wildfires, our disturbance driven forest ecosystems and how we as a community can become more resilient to future wildfires.  Wildfires are inevitable, but there are many actions we can take to adapt our behaviors to live in a wildfire prone area.

Final Community Chipping Event of the Month: Sunday Oct. 28
Our final community chipping event will take place in Coal Creek Canyon this Sunday Oct. 28, 9 a.m to 4 p.m.  Haul your cut slash and logs, less than 12 inches in diameter, to Camp Eden, 11583 Camp Eden Road, Golden, CO.

Visit us online at www.BoulderCountyWildfireAware.org for complete details about what can be dropped off. A $5 donation is request for each load to help support the Saws and Slaws Community Forestry Program (www.SawsandSlaws.com). Saws and Slaws community volunteers, the Colorado State Forest Service and Boulder County staff will help unload and chip your material.

A special thanks to the Colorado State Forest Service Volunteer Program for donating their chipper and recruiting volunteers at this event! If you would like to volunteer with the Colorado State Forest Service on events like these in the future please contact Jamie Dahl, experiential learning coordinator, at 970-988-3667.

Be Aware, Be Prepared, Be Firewise!

Cheers,
Ryan

Ryan Ludlow | Forestry Education & Outreach Coordinator 
Boulder County | Land Use Department
O: 720.564.2641 | F: 303.441.4856
rludlow@bouldercounty.org | www.bouldercounty.org/ForestHealth
*Please visit our website to sign-up to receive emails about forestry workshops, community meetings, bark beetle management tips and more!

Today’s forest health outreach update covers the following topics:
*Forestry Tip of the Day: Wildfires can occur at anytime of year
*Wildfire Mitigation Challenge Outreach: Week Number Two – Tree Work
*October Wildfire Awareness Month: Upcoming Events
*Nederland Sort Yard to close for the season on Saturday Oct. 20

*Forestry Tip of the Day: Wildfires can occur at anytime of year
Forestry Tip of the Day: The Fern Lake wildfire on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park continues to burn and is estimated to be around 660 acres. The fire began on Tuesday, Oct 9 and remains uncontained as of 2 p.m. Thursday. This fire is a good reminder that wildfires can occur at nearly anytime of the year and we must remain prepared for wildfires. Latest info on the Fern Lake is here: www.nps.gov/romo/naturescience/currentfires.htm

Join the Wildfire Mitigation Challenge to learn about what you can do to protect your home from future wildfires. Sign-up is fast and easy and you could win a STIHL MS 250  chainsaw package, a STIHL MS 290 chainsaw, a STIHL FS 45 weed trimmer, one $300 gift card and twelve $100 gift cards to Indian Peaks Ace hardware in Nederland! Signup online at www.BoulderCountyWildfireAware.org

Why is this important??  Fires are inevitable and we must adapt our behaviors and learn to live in a fire dependent ecosystem.

*Wildfire Mitigation Challenge Outreach: Week Number Two – Tree Work
* Thanks to everyone who already signed up for the Wildfire Mitigation Challenge. The following information complements week # 2 challenge checklist tasks.

The theme for week number two of the Challenge is “tree work”.  As part of this week’s challenge we highly recommend you watch the video “Wildfires! Preventing Home Ignitions”. The video is 20 minutes long, but it is well worth watching in its entirety. Watch it here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0iR8o54hDU

At 5:53 into the video it looks at three primary reasons homes ignite during wildland fires. 1) Direct flame contact 2) Radiant heat and 3) Flying embers. Wildland fire research clearly demonstrated that whether or not your home ignites from a passing fire is directly related to the proactive fire mitigation actions you have taken within approximately 100-200 feet of your structures.

At 8:55 into the video it introduces the concept of the “Home Ignition Zone”. Pay special attention to this section as Jack Cohen helps you understand why tree work/vegetation management within a relatively small distance of your structures is so important. Keep in mind, aggressively removing conifers, ladder fuels and the lowest limbs on trees near your home helps create a defensible area which provides fire fighters a safer working environment to protect your home. Fire fighters may avoid your home altogether if they don’t have a safe area where they feel comfortable fighting the fire.

Join us at an outdoor workshop on Sun. Oct. 14 to learn more about the “Home Ignition Zone”. We are hosting a Wildfire Mitigation workshop at a landowner’s home on Magnolia Rd. Learn how to identify mitigation actions you can take to reduce the ignitability of your home. An RSVP is required for this event. Visit our main Wildfire Awareness Month website for further details.

This week we challenge you to start small and work incrementally towards your final goals of creating effective wildfire mitigation on your land. Get out there this weekend and complete as many of week # 2 challenge checklist tasks as possible.

*October Wildfire Awareness Month: Upcoming Events

We have a jam-packed calendar of events scheduled in the next few days. We are offering two educational workshops, a naturalist hike, a chipping event, an insurance workshop and a volunteer forestry project.  Visit www.BoulderCountyWildfireAware.org and click on the “events tab” for complete descriptions about each event.

Event Highlights:
*On Sat. Oct. 13, we highly recommend that you attend our free “Wildfire Mitigation and Slash Pile Building Workshop” in Nederland.  Join your local professional fire fighters from the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office Fire Management Program as they teach you how to safely build and burn slash piles. This hands on workshop covers how to safely use chainsaws to cut trees, examines tools and resources available for wood removal, teaches you how to build and burn slash piles and much more. Bring a sack lunch, gloves and dress for the weather.

*Also on Sat. Oct. 13 take advantage of a free chipping day in Fourmile Canyon at the Logan Mill Fire Station. Haul cut slash and logs under 6 inches in diameter to this free chipping day. Fire fighters from Fourmile Fire Protection, Colorado State Forest Service and Boulder County will help you unload and chip your material.  We also have a volunteer forestry project and a naturalist hike scheduled on Saturday.

*On Sun. Oct. 14 join us at a free “Home Ignition Zone” Wildfire Mitigation Workshop. Learn how to identify mitigation actions you can take to reduce the ignitability of your home. We will be outdoors at a landowner’s home on Magnolia Rd. RSVP is required for this event.

*Next week on Tues. Oct. 16 Foothills United Way and Boulder County are holding a free educational workshop in Lyons to help residents make sure they are properly insured and to learn how to be prepared for any natural disaster. Often, the cost to rebuild, especially in the mountains, exceeds the amount of coverage policyholders carry for their homes and other property. Adding to this problem is the homeowner’s lack of awareness that the policies they carry are inadequate. This workshop is a must for all homeowners.

Make sure to visit us online at www.BoulderCountyWildfireAware.org and click on the “events tab” for dates, times and locations of upcoming events.

*Nederland Sort Yard to close for the season on Saturday Oct. 20 
The Nederland community forestry sort yard is only open a few more days this fall. The sort yard is a great free of charge location to drop off all that material you have been cutting as part of the Wildfire Mitigation Challenge. The Nederland Sort Yard will remain open Tues., to Sat., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., through October 20. The Allenspark sort yard site is now closed for the 2012 season. For complete details about the sort yard program visit us online at www.bouldercounty.org/property/forest/pages/fhsortyards.aspx.

Be Aware, Be Prepared, Be Firewise!

Cheers,
Ryan

Ryan Ludlow | Forestry Education & Outreach Coordinator 
Boulder County | Land Use Department
O: 720.564.2641 | F: 303.441.4856
rludlow@bouldercounty.org | www.bouldercounty.org/ForestHealth
*Please visit our website to sign-up to receive emails about forestry workshops, community meetings, bark beetle management tips and more!

Today’s forest health outreach update covers the following topics:
*October is Wildfire Awareness Month: The Kickoff to the 2012 Campaign!
*Forest Stewardship Tip of the Day: Win Prizes by Participating in the Wildfire Mitigation Challenge!
*October Wildfire Awareness Month: Calendar of Events and Activities

*October is Wildfire Awareness Month: The Kickoff to the 2012 Campaign! 
On September 6, 2011, the one year anniversary of the Fourmile Canyon Fire, Boulder County declared October as Wildfire Awareness Month. The idea for the month long awareness campaign came from citizens of Boulder County who understood the need for more education, stronger community involvement, and greater individual responsibility toward community wildfire protection.

We hope you enjoy and take part in the events and activities we have planned! We will rely on this email list to announce all events and activities and will be sending out a bit more frequent weekly emails during the month of October. 

*Forest Stewardship Tip of the Day: Win Prizes by Participating in the Wildfire Mitigation Challenge!
Forestry Tip of the Day: New in 2012, we are launching the Wildfire Mitigation Challenge. The Challenge encourages landowners to complete specific weekly wildfire mitigation tasks during the month of October. Signup for the Challenge and a chance to win prizes by visiting:  www.BoulderCountyWildfireAware.org.

Wildfire Mitigation Challenge Prizes include:
*Package Deal: Stihl MS250 18″ Chainsaw ($299.95 value), 6-Layer Safety Chaps ($89.95) and a Forestry Safety Helmet ($64.99). Total package retail value of $454.89!
*One Stihl FS45 Trimmer ($159.95).
*One $300 Gift Card to a local hardware store
*Seven $100 gift cards to local hardware stores
*Five $100 gift cards to Indian Peaks ACE Hardware

A special thanks goes to our sponsor Indian Peaks ACE hardware in Nederland for donating the Stihl forestry equipment!

Once signed up, download the Weekly Challenge Checklist to track the work you complete each week. The more mitigation tasks a household completes, the greater the chance of winning a prize. At least 15 households will be eligible to WIN! Actually, you all win because by taking action you can dramatically improve the chances of your home surviving the next fire!

The Community Challenge: “Fire District vs. Fire District”
Encourage your neighborhoods to sign up for The Wildfire Mitigation Challenge, too. We are pitting local fire protection districts against one another to see who can achieve the highest level of participation. The Fire Protection District with the highest percentage of households participating will win a free Boulder County sponsored community chipping event, a $1500 value.

Why is this important??  “So let me get this straight… landowners are eligible to win awesome prizes just for signing up to for the Wildfire Mitigation Challenge?” Yup, it’s that easy! Signup today!

*Wildfire Mitigation Challenge Eligibility Requirements: Only Boulder County residents may enter, one entry per household, must be over 18 to participate. 

*October Wildfire Awareness Month: Calendar of Events and Activities
Events and activities during the month teach residents about wildfire mitigation and encourage homeowners to take action to prepare for future fires. We are offering workshops on how to implement wildfire mitigation on your land, workshops on how to properly insure your mountain home, several free of charge community chipping days, volunteer forestry projects, natural history hikes, USFS tours and much more! Events are being added to our calendar daily so make sure to visit us online to view a complete list of workshops and trainings. Visit: www.BoulderCountyWildfireAware.org and click on the “events tab” in the middle of the screen.

Below you will find a quick snapshot of events planned during the  first two weeks of October. Make sure to go to www.BoulderCountyWildfireAware.org for complete program descriptions, registration information, locations and times. All events are free of charge! Some events require an RSVP or are restricted to local community members.

*October 1-12 – Nederland Neighborhood Slash Pick-up
Information: http://nederlandco.org/2012/09/neighborhood-slash-pick-up-in-september-/ or call Town Hall at 303-258-3266.
Sponsors: Town of Nederland, Boulder County Community Chipping Reimbursement Program.

*Saturday, October 6 – Nederland Saws and Slaws
Registration and Information: www.nederlandco.org/2012/09/final-saws-slaws-event-for-the-season-106-8am-12pm/ or contact Alan Brewer, Nederland PROSAB volunteer at nedforesthealth@gmail.com.
Sponsors: Town of Nederland, Nederland Saws and Slaws, Nederland Parks Recreation and Open Space Advisory Board

*Saturday, October 6 – Volunteer Forest Restoration Project at Heil Valley Ranch
Registration and Information: To register, please visit www.BoulderCountyOpenSpace.org/wildwork, or call Shane Milne at 303-678-6089.
Sponsors: Boulder County Parks and Open Space

*Saturday, October 6 – Community Chipping Event in Lefthand Canyon area
Information: http://www.bouldercounty.org/property/forest/pages/foresthealthevents.aspx
Sponsors: Lefthand Fire Protection District, Colorado State Forest Service, BLM and Boulder County.

*Saturday, October 13 – Volunteer Forest Restoration Project at Hall Ranch
Registration and Information: To register, please visit www.BoulderCountyOpenSpace.org/wildwork, or call Shane Milne at 303-678-6089.
Sponsors: Boulder County Parks and Open Space

*Saturday, October 13 – Natural History Hike – Fire on the Mountain: After the Fourmile Canyon Fire
Registration and Information: To register, pleas call Larry Colbenson, 303-678-6214, lcolbenson@bouldercounty.org,http://www.bouldercounty.org/pages/eventdetails.aspx?EventID=1377

*October 13 – Community Chipping Event in Fourmile Canyon area
Information: http://www.bouldercounty.org/property/forest/pages/foresthealthevents.aspx
Sponsors: Fourmile Fire Protection District, Colorado State Forest Service, BLM and Boulder County.

*Sunday, October 14 – “The Home Ignition Zone” outdoor Wildfire Mitigation Workshop
Registration and Information: To register, call Deb Rice, 303-441-3922, drice@bouldercounty.org

http://www.bouldercounty.org/property/forest/pages/foresthealthevents.aspx
Sponsors: Boulder County and Colorado State Forest Service.

Be Aware, Be Prepared, Be Firewise!

Cheers,
Ryan

Ryan Ludlow | Forestry Education & Outreach Coordinator 
Boulder County | Land Use Department
O: 720.564.2641 | F: 303.441.4856
rludlow@bouldercounty.org | www.bouldercounty.org/ForestHealth
*Please visit our website to sign-up to receive emails about forestry workshops, community meetings, bark beetle management tips and more!

Hey Gold Hill Folks,

If you read my Forest Health Outreach email update from yesterday you might have noticed that we are offering two free community chipping events as part of October Wildfire Awareness Month. Both of these events are in really close proximity to residents in the Gold Hill area.

• The first event on Saturday Oct. 6. will be offered at Left Hand Fire’s Station # 4, 7300 Left Hand Canyon Drive.
• The second event on Saturday Oct. 13 will be offered at Fourmile Fire’s “Logan Mill” Fire Station at 9 Logan Mill Road.

Can each of you help spread the word about these FREE chipping events? I attached a flier which includes specific details for each event. Feel free to print, email, put on sandwich boards and wave at passing cars… what ever it takes to spread the word. FYI – Please make sure to take a close look at each flier since we have strict requirements on what we will and won’t accept at these events.

These are “You haul it, we chip it” type events.  They are a great FREE opportunity to get rid of slash from your fire mitigation and bark beetle projects. Hope to see you there!

Cheers,
Ryan

Ryan Ludlow | Forestry Education & Outreach Coordinator 
Boulder County | Land Use Department
P.O. Box 471, Boulder CO 80306
O: 720.564.2641 | F: 303.441.4856
rludlow@bouldercounty.org | www.bouldercounty.org/ForestHealth
*Please visit our website to sign-up to for our Forest Health Outreach email communication list. Learn about upcoming forestry community meetings, wildfire mitigation, bark beetle management tips and more!

For even more info go to http://www.bouldercounty.org/property/forest/pages/foresthealthevents.aspx

Today’s forest health outreach update covers the following topics:
* Forest Stewardship Tip of the Day: Bark Beetle Management Tips
* October is Wildfire Awareness Month: A sneak peak … community chipping events!
* Reminder: Nederland and Allenspark Sort Yards are Open

*Forest Stewardship Tip of the Day: Bark Beetle Management Tips
Forestry Tip of the Day: A vast majority of mountain pine beetles (mpbs) have finished their annual flight, and Ips bark beetles don’t cause many problems in the fall. As a result, over the next few weeks, you should survey all of your pine trees for new beetle infestation. Use our Bark Beetle Field Guide to help with identification: www.bouldercounty.org/find/library/environment/barkbeetlefieldguide.pdf

You can begin cutting newly infested trees right now; however; if you want to be cautious,  you may wait until after Oct. 1.  Special “sanitation techniques” must be used to kill the beetles under the bark of an infested tree. See page 11 of the Bark Beetle Field Guide for information about sanitation techniques.

If you want to keep logs as firewood, we are now recommending a newer sanitation technique.
*Step #1 – “Cut down infested tree” remove the limbs and haul them to a community forestry sort yard, community chipping event or chip on-site.
*Step #2 – “Score the logs”  by cutting furrows lengthwise down the entire log every 3-4 inches. Cuts don’t need to be too deep. Cut threw the outer bark to the “white fleshy” cambium layer. This step exposes more air to the inner bark and speeds up drying.
*Step #3 – “Buck (cut) the logs” into firewood sized pieces
*Step #4 – “Split the logs” and stack firewood in single rows, facing southwest, in the sunniest spot possible, with bark facing the sun. Do not stack the firewood in large piles.
*Alternative: After step # 3, don’t split the bucked up logs. Instead, place them in single rows facing southwest in a very sunny location. Logs must be rotated every couple of months to optimize sun exposure.

The goal of this treatment is to rapidly dry the logs and therefore kill the developing larva before they fly next summer. If you use this method, you should start treatments soon to take advantage of the warmer fall days. Field observations have shown that this technique is killing the beetles before the annual flight begins the next summer.

Why is this important??  You can reduce the total number of trees lost on your land if you take action!

*October is Wildfire Awareness Month: A sneak peak … community chipping events!
On September 6, 2011, the one year anniversary of the Fourmile Canyon Fire, Boulder County declared October as Wildfire Awareness Month. Look for a Wildfire Awareness Month announcement email from us next week with a large quantity of information about monthly activities!

Today, we wanted to send out a sneak peak about two community chipping events scheduled in early October. The first event in Left Hand Canyon will be offered Saturday, Oct. 6. The second event in Fourmile Canyon will be offered on Saturday, Oct. 13. All events are open to any county resident.

How does it work? Landowners are required to haul slash to the event. Hauled slash will be immediately chipped into roll-off dumpsters. Since we are chipping everything we collect, we have strict requirements on what can and cannot be dropped off. For complete details, including location and hours of operation, visit: www.bouldercounty.org/property/forest/pages/foresthealthevents.aspx

A special thanks to our partners: Fourmile and Lefthand Fire Protection District and the Colorado State Forest Service for help coordinate these Wildfire Awareness Month events.

The Town of Nederland is also offering free slash pick-up this fall in centralized locations within Town boundaries. Pickups will occur in the Sunnyside/Hilltop neighborhoods this week, in the Old Town neighborhood the week of Sept. 24, the Downtown neighborhoods the week of Oct. 1, and the Big Springs neighborhood the week of Oct. 8. Please visit the town’s website for full details. www.nederlandco.org/2012/09/neighborhood-slash-pick-up-in-september-october/. Please contact Nederland Town Hall directly with questions at 303-258-3266.

Please help spread the word in your community about these free chipping opportunities.

Reminder: Nederland and Allenspark Sort Yards are Open 
The north county Allenspark Community Forestry Sort Yard  is open for two more Fridays and Saturdays. Open: 9/21-9/22, & 9/28-29 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The south county Nederland sort yard, located at 291 Ridge Road, just north of Nederland, will continue its 9 -5 p.m., Tues. – Sat., schedule through Oct. 20.

Both sort yard site are now once again accepting logs that are infested with mountain pine beetles. Visit: www.BoulderCounty.org/ForestHealth for more information about our sort yard program.

Fall is the perfect time of year to be cutting for bark beetles, wildfire mitigation and forest health improvement. The best time of year to cut in relation to bark beetles (both IPS and MPBs) is from about Sept. 15 to March 15.

Cheers,
Ryan

Ryan Ludlow | Forestry Education & Outreach Coordinator 
Boulder County | Land Use Department
O: 720.564.2641 | F: 303.441.4856
rludlow@bouldercounty.org | www.bouldercounty.org/ForestHealth
*Please visit our website to sign-up to receive emails about forestry workshops, community meetings, bark beetle
management tips and more!

Today’s forest health outreach update covers the following topics:
* Forest Stewardship Tip of the Day: Grasses are curing out and should be cut
* Wildfire Mitigation Training:  In Jamestown on Thursday Sept. 6
* Reminder: Allenspark Sort Yard to Reopen on this Friday!!

*Forest Stewardship Tip of the Day: Grasses are curing out and should be cut
Forestry Tip of the Day: As we transition into fall and grasses continue to cure out it is an important time of year to cut your grass and make sure your gutters are clear of flammable debris.

You should cut the grasses within 30 feet of all structures to a height of 6 inches or less. Make sure to aggressively cut all grasses underneath pine trees that remain within 30 feet of your home. You can also cut the grass along driveways and the roadside to make safer ingress and egress.

If you haven’t been on your roof in awhile you should check to make sure your gutters are free of needles and leaves. Each fall conifer trees shed 1/3 of the needles on the interior branches of the tree. Fall needle drop is normal and shouldn’t be a cause for alarm. Many residents call our office thinking their trees are being killed by pine beetles when in reality it is just normal fall needle drop season. Take a look outside; are needles on the interior of your trees turning yellow/red?   Are the needles falling in your gutters and accumulating along the edge of your house? If yes, get out a rake and clean that flammable stuff away from your walls and out of your gutter.

Why is this important??   A fire ban is now back in effect for the mountain areas of unincorporated Boulder County. Please visit us online (www.bouldercounty.org/apps/newsroom/templates/bc12.aspx?articleid=3280&zoneid=1) or contact the Sheriff’s office directly for official information about current fire restrictions.

Cutting your grass helps reduce the surface fire (aka grass fire) intensity as the fire approaches your home. This reduction in fire intensity helps limit the amount that fire will be able to climb into tree tops which provides a safer location for firefighters to protect your home. Many homes were lost in the Fourmile Canyon Fire because folks didn’t know about the importance of cutting your grass.

*Wildfire Mitigation Training: In Jamestown on Thursday Sept. 6

We have one more free forestry trainings coming up on Thursday Sept. 6 in Jamestown focused on proactive Wildfire Mitigation. With our current fire danger it is an important time to learn about the steps you can take to dramatically increase the likelihood of your home surviving the next fire. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to learn about how and why homes are lost during wildfires!

Presentations will be given by Boulder County and Colorado State Forest Service staff and local firefighters will be available to answer questions.

Jamestown/Left Hand Canyon Area Training
When: Thurs., Sept. 6 – 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Where: Jamestown Town Hall, 118 Main St.
Sponsors: Jamestown and Left Hand fire protection districts, Town of Jamestown

A more detailed training description is available online: http://www.bouldercounty.org/property/forest/pages/foresthealthevents.aspx

*Reminder: Allenspark Sort Yard to Reopen on this Friday! 

The north county Allenspark Community Forestry Sort Yard will reopen this Friday Sept. 7 on a limited schedule for four consecutive Fridays and Saturdays in September. (Open 9/7-9/8, 9/14-9/15, 9/21-9/22, & 9/28-29 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.) The south county Nederland sort yard, located at 291 Ridge Road, just north of Nederland will continue its 9 -5 p.m., Tues. – Sat., schedule through Oct. 20.

Both sort yard site will begin accepting logs that are infested with mountain pine beetles on Friday Sept. 14. Visit: www.BoulderCounty.org/ForestHealthfor more information about our sort yard program.

Fall is the perfect time of year to be cutting for bark beetles, wildfire mitigation and forest health improvement. The best time of year to cut in relation to bark beetles (both IPS and MPBs) is from about Sept. 15 to March 15.

Cheers,
Ryan

Ryan Ludlow | Forestry Education & Outreach Coordinator 
Boulder County | Land Use Department
O: 720.564.2641 | F: 303.441.4856
rludlow@bouldercounty.org | www.bouldercounty.org/ForestHealth
*Please visit our website to sign-up to receive emails about forestry workshops, community meetings, bark beetle management tips and more!

Boulder County Forest Health Outreach Updates – Aug. 23, 2012
Today’s forest health outreach update covers the following topics:
* Forest Stewardship Tip of the Day: Fall is a Great Time to Fight Bark Beetles
* Attend a Training: Wildfire Mitigation Trainings in Lyons and Jamestown 
* Announcement: Allenspark Sort Yard will Reopen in September!

* Forestry Article of Interest: Fuels Mitigation Help Firefighting Effort on High Park Fire 

*Forest Stewardship Tip of the Day: Fall is a Great Time to Fight Bark Beetles
Forestry Tip of the Day: Fall is a great time of year to survey for the presence of new Mountain Pine Beetle (MPB) infestations. MPBs fly once per year from mid-July to Mid-September. Property owners are encouraged to survey their lands for the presence of newly infested trees beginning mid-September of each year. A step by step Bark Beetle Field Guide (www.bit.ly/BoCoMPB) is available to help identify currently infested trees.

Why is this important??  For the past three years we have seen declining beetle impacts across the State. We aren’t out of the woods yet, but the declining beetle numbers provides hope for the future. Research has shown that landowners who aggressively fight bark beetles can reduce the total number of trees lost during the epidemic. Remember - If you have one beetle infested tree this year and you do nothing that one tree will produce enough beetles to kill 3 to 7 trees the following year.  If you have questions about bark beetle management please feel free to give us a call. We will send out a future Forestry Tip of the Day on the best options available to kill beetles under the bark of an infested tree soon.

*Attend a Training: Upcoming Wildfire Mitigation Trainings in Lyons and Jamestown
We have two more free forestry trainings coming up in the next two weeks focused on proactive Wildfire Mitigation. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to learn about how and why homes are lost during wildfires! If you go you will leave with a much deeper understanding about how to dramatically increase the likelihood of your home surviving the next fire.

Both trainings are free of charge and you are welcome to attend the training that works best with your schedule. If you were one of the 300 folks who attended a training earlier this summer please help spread the word with your friends and neighbors.

Presentations will be given by Boulder County and Colorado State Forest Service staff and local firefighters will be available to answer questions. A more detailed training description is available online: http://www.bouldercounty.org/property/forest/pages/foresthealthevents.aspx

Lyons Area Training
When: Tues., Aug. 28 – 6:30-8:30 p.m. 
Where: Lyons Fire Station # 1 – 251 Broadway
Sponsors: Lyons Fire Protection District

Jamestown/Left Hand Canyon Area Training
When: Thurs., Sept. 6 – 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Where: Jamestown Town Hall, 118 Main St.
Sponsors: Jamestown and Left Hand fire protection districts, Town of Jamestown

*Announcement: Allenspark Sort Yard will Reopen in September! 
We are pleased to announce a limited reopening of the Allenspark Community Forestry Sort Yard. Due to popular demand, the site will operate for four consecutive Fridays and Saturdays in September.

The Allenspark/Meeker Park area sort yard, located on the Peak-to-Peak Highway just north of the Boulder-Larimer county line, will be open on 9/7-9/8, 9/14-9/15, 9/21-9/22, & 9/28-29 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. The south county sort yard, located at 291 Ridge Road, just north of Nederland will continue its 9 -5 p.m., Tues. – Sat., schedule through Oct. 20.

Visit: www.BoulderCounty.org/ForestHealth for more information on the limited reopening. 

We need your Help – Volunteer as a Community Forestry Sort Yard Host!
Volunteer Community Forestry Sort Yard Hosts are needed at the Allenspark Community Forestry Sort Yard to make sure that the yards continue to be a local hub of community-based forestry information. Hosts will greet people as they enter the yard, collect data on the material they are delivering, provide outreach to sort yard users about forest ecology, bark beetles, and wildfire mitigation. Volunteers will not be responsible for helping unload logs and slash. 

The sort yard is looking for individuals who can commit to 2-4 hour shifts, a minimum of 8 hours for the month, with the greatest need for volunteers on Saturdays. The application deadline is Sept. 6. For more information and/or to receive a volunteer application, contact Wayne Harrington at 303-678-6368 or wharrington@bouldercounty.org.

*Forestry Article of Interest: Fuels Mitigation Help Firefighting Effort on High Park Fire
When wildfires occur it is easy to dwell on the negative impacts to homes, communities and the forested ecosystem. However, we have a fantastic example of how proactive fuels mitigation helped change the way the massive High Park Fire burned across the landscape. The Colorado State Forest Service put together a feature story which clearly demonstrates what can be done to prepare our disturbance driven forest ecosystems and communities for inevitable wildfires. As you read the story we challenge you to think about your own backyard forest and how the effective mitigation you implement can help increase the likelihood of your home and trees surviving the next wildfire.

Read the story here: http://csfs.colostate.edu/pages/main-features.html#high-park-lsp

Cheers,
Ryan

Ryan Ludlow | Forestry Education & Outreach Coordinator 
Boulder County | Land Use Department
P.O. Box 471, Boulder CO 80306
O: 720.564.2641 | F: 303.441.4856
rludlow@bouldercounty.org | www.bouldercounty.org/ForestHealth
*Please visit our website to sign-up to receive emails about forestry workshops, community meetings, bark beetle management tips and more!

Today’s forest health outreach update covers the following topics:
* Forest Stewardship Tip of the Day: How to Correctly Prune a Tree
* Training Announcement: Chainsaw Safety and Skills Training Class

* News: Nederland Area Sort Yard to Reopen this Saturday Aug. 4

Forest Stewardship Tip of the Day: How to Correctly Prune a Tree
Forestry Tip of the Day: Did you know that you can cause long-term damage to your trees if you prune them incorrectly? We often see landowners incorrectly prune a tree by either placing their final pruning cut too far away from the trunk of the tree (leaving a 1 to 2 inch branch stub) or cutting too close to the tree trunk (cutting into the “branch collar”).

Leaving a short branch stub can lead to long-term tree health problems decades from now. As the short stubs decay they have the potential to transport rot fungus into the center of the tree. On the other hand if you cut too close to the trunk you risk cutting into the “branch collar”. If you nick or completely remove the “branch collar” the tree will not be able to effectively heal the pruning wound which leaves the tree vulnerable to rot fungus and therefore blow-down.

Here is a publication that the Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) put together to help you learn how to make the proper pruning cuts. Specifically look at p. 14-32 for visual illustrations.http://csfs.colostate.edu/pdfs/Pruning-Presentation_ECCFC-RF_2012_compressed.pdf. Here is another CSFS publication about proper pruning techniques. http://csfs.colostate.edu/pdfs/613.pdf

Why is this important??  By properly pruning your tree you help maintain the long-term health and stability of your trees. “You don’t want to cut too close or too far – make that perfect cut just outside the slightly fatter branch collar.”

Training Announcement: Chainsaw Safety and Skills Class
Chainsaw Safety and Skills Training Class- Space is limited so sign up now if you want to attend
When: Saturday, August 4, 2012 – 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
To Sign Up: Contact Kris Gibson, 303-545-9670 kgkeewee@netzero.net
Where: Training starts at the Four Mile Canyon Fire Station # 2 in Salina; then we will travel up to Gold Hill for the field practice skills.

The Training will consist of:
-Chainsaw Maintenance - cutting safely requires a well running saw that you are familiar with.
-Chainsaw Safety & Personal Protective Equipment - including things to watch out for while cutting.
-Tree Felling & Cutting Skills - Classroom presentation followed by field exercises.

Presented by:
Eric Philips NWCG Crew Boss, NFPA Engineer Louisville Fire Dist.; Wildfire Mitigation Specialist
Eric Folwell NWCG Engine Boss Louisville Fire Dist. ; Forester, Rocky Mountain Resource Protection

Participants please bring: your own lunch, lots of water, your own gear: chain saw, helmet, gloves, ear and eye protection, chaps. Wear long sleeves, pants and boots.
Space is limited! Please contact Kris Gibson at 303-545-9670 or kgkeewee@netzero.net if you would like to sign up. Cost is $40.00 per person. Cash/Check, paid in full on day of class.

News: Nederland Area Sort Yard to Reopen this Saturday Aug. 4 
The Boulder County Forest Health Initiative is pleased to announce that the Nederland Community Forestry Sort Yard will reopen to area residents on Saturday, Aug. 4.

The sort yard, located at 291 Ridge Road just north of Nederland, will be open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays, through Oct. 20.

Boulder County operates two sort yards each summer in order to provide residents a free of charge location to dispose of logs and slash cut from their land. The Allenspark/Meeker Park area sort yard, located on the Peak-to-Peak Highway just north of the Boulder-Larimer county line closed for the season on July 7.

The widely popular sort yard program has experienced increasingly high usage since it first started accepting material in 2008. “It was truly amazing seeing so many landowners taking action to prepare their homes for future wildfires,” sort yard manager Wayne Harrington said. “This summer we have seen a nearly constant stream of traffic with trucks, trailers, and even Subarus filled to the brim with slash and logs.”

Why should forest landowners be interested in this county service?
The county’s Forest Health Outreach Program for private landowners has been actively encouraging all forest landowners to be good stewards of their backyard forest. The county recommends all landowners create effective defensible space around their homes, aggressively fight bark beetle infestations, and otherwise create healthy sustainable forest ecosystems on their land.

Community forestry sort yards are one tool available to help landowners effectively manage their forested lands. A major hurdle many landowners face when implementing effective mitigation on their land is what to do with leftover slash and logs.

Learn more about wildfire mitigation and bark beetle management
The county works with local fire protection districts, communities and agency partners to offer local community forestry trainings and workshops on wildfire mitigation, bark beetle management and forest restoration. Residents can connect with the Boulder County Forest Outreach Program for private landowners by visiting www.BoulderCounty.org/ForestHealth.

One of the best ways to stay connected about upcoming programs is to sign up for the forest health listserv at www.BoulderCounty.org/ForestHealth. Once signed up, individuals will receive periodic forestry tips of the day, information about upcoming forestry trainings, and other information directly related to managing a backyard forest.

In addition, county outreach forester Ryan Ludlow is available to help answer individual forestry questions and can help set-up free mini neighborhood forest management workshops at a home or at larger community trainings for HOAs, towns and neighborhoods. Give Ryan a call at 720-564-2641 or email rludlow@bouldercounty.org.

Forest Landowners are also encouraged to work with the Boulder District of Colorado State Forest Service to implement effective mitigation on their land. CSFS is the lead state agency providing forest stewardship and wildfire mitigation assistance to private landowners. Contact the Boulder District of CSFS at 303-823-5774.

To learn more about how to create and maintain effective wildfire mitigation on personal property visit http://csfs.colostate.edu/pages/wf-protection.html or www.firewise.org.
To learn more about bark beetle management visit www.BoulderCounty.org/ForestHealth and open the “Bark Beetle Inspector Identification and Treatment Field Guide” or visithttp://csfs.colostate.edu/pages/mountain-pine-beetle.html.

Cheers,
Ryan

Ryan Ludlow | Forestry Education & Outreach Coordinator 
Boulder County | Land Use Department
P.O. Box 471, Boulder CO 80306
O: 720.564.2641 | F: 303.441.4856
rludlow@bouldercounty.org | www.bouldercounty.org/ForestHealth
*Please visit our website to sign-up to receive emails about forestry workshops, community meetings, bark beetle management tips and more!

Today’s forest health outreach update covers the following topics:
* Forest Stewardship Tip of the Day: Mountain Pine Beetle Flight Time
* Announcement: Mountain Residents Urged to Review Insurance Policies
* Denver Post Article of Interest: Waldo Canyon Fire and Proactive Wildfire Mitigation

Forest Stewardship Tip of the Day: Mountain Pine Beetle Flight Time
Forestry Tip of the Day: Mountain pine beetles (MPBs) typically fly once per year between mid-July to mid-Sept. Within this three month flight window there is a two week window (called mass flight) when a vast majority of MPBs synchronize their flight in order to overwhelm the natural defenses of our pine trees. The timing of mass flight fluctuates slightly each year depending on your elevation and spring/early summer daytime temperatures. This year we are guessing mass flight will occur slightly early than normal.

Forest landowners should use caution when cutting during the heart of beetle flight since MPBs can be attracted to freshly cut pine. We do think it is okay to continue cutting during beetle flight, especially if you are working to create effective defensible space on your land, but be conscience about your methods.

When cutting during MPB flight try to limit the amount of time fresh cut pine branches and logs stay on your land. If possible it is best to cut and remove the freshly cut pine material from your land quickly. If removal isn’t feasible make sure to stack freshly cut pine material away from high value trees. Chipping freshly cut pine branches back onto the forest floor can also attract beetles to your land. During beetle flight if you can’t quickly remove pine branches or chipped slash from your land it would likely be a better option to leave the slash whole than chip it back onto your land.

Keep in mind that you can cut fir, spruce, aspen and other non-pine species of trees during beetle flight without worry of attracting MPBs. You can also cut dead trees and remove the dead lower branches of any tree species.

Why is this important??  You can reduce the total impacts from beetles on your land if you aggressively survey for and remove newly infested trees. We recommend that you survey your land for the presence of beetles at least once per year starting between Sept. 15 and Oct. 1.  In general the absolute best time of the year to be on your land cutting is from about Mid-Sept. to Mid-March. Both MPBs and Ips bark beetles are the least active during the cooler fall and winter months.

* We recently put together a step-by-step Bark Beetle Management Guide which walks you through Mountain Pine Beetle and Ips beetle identification. Weblink:http://www.bouldercounty.org/find/library/environment/barkbeetlefieldguide.pdf (3MB)
* Weblink to Colorado State Forest Service’s mountain pine beetle management info: http://csfs.colostate.edu/pages/mountain-pine-beetle.html

Announcement: Mountain Residents Urged to Review Insurance Policies 
Boulder County and Foothills United Way to host two free insurance workshops

Recent fires all along the Front Range have served as catastrophic reminders of the need for foothills and mountain dwellers to make sure they are adequately insured before disaster strikes.

Now is a critical time for mountain residents to check their insurance policies and ensure their homes are adequately covered and to take some easy steps to prepare for any disaster.

Foothills United Way and Boulder County are holding two free educational workshops to help residents make sure they are properly insured and to learn how to be prepared for any natural disaster:

* Nederland – Monday, July 23, 7-8:30 p.m. - Nederland Community Center, 750 Highway 72
* Boulder – Tuesday, July 24, 6:30-8 p.m. - Commissioners’ Hearing Room, Boulder County Courthouse, third floor, 1325 Pearl St.

The workshops will cover several topics, including:
1) Lessons learned from Fourmile Canyon Fire Survivors
2) Tips from United Policyholders’ ‘Roadmap to Preparedness’ Program (www.uphelp.org)
3) How to ensure your insurance policy accurately reflects the real cost of rebuilding in the mountains west of Boulder
4) Practical ways your family can be prepared in the case of a natural disaster

Often, the cost to rebuild, especially in the mountains, exceeds the amount of coverage policyholders carry for their homes and other property. Adding to this problem is the homeowner’s lack of awareness that the policies they carry are inadequate.

“One of the hard lessons of the Fourmile Canyon Fire was that more than 60 percent of property owners were underinsured,” said Garry Sanfaçon, Boulder County’s Fourmile Fire Recovery Manager. “These workshops will give people the tools they need to make sure they are adequately covered.”

To learn more now about insuring your home adequately, view this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMNtIzlTsbg.

For more information about the workshops, contact: Amy E. Hardy, Fourmile Recovery Resource Coordinator, Foothills United Way, at ahardy@unitedwayfoothills.org or 303-895-3418.

Denver Post Article of Interest: Waldo Canyon Fire and proactive Wildfire Mitigation

We thought folks might be interested in reading a recent Denver Post article which focuses on the proactive wildfire mitigation that helped save homes during the Waldo Canyon Fire. Read the article here: http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_21065300/work-protect-homes-before-waldo-canyon-fire-yielded

Cheers,
Ryan

Ryan Ludlow | Forestry Education & Outreach Coordinator 
Boulder County | Land Use Department
P.O. Box 471, Boulder CO 80306
O: 720.564.2641 | F: 303.441.4856
rludlow@bouldercounty.org | www.bouldercounty.org/ForestHealth
*Please visit our website to sign-up to receive emails about forestry workshops, community meetings, bark beetle
management tips and more!