National Fire Plan Success Story

Estes Valley Fuels Reduction Project
Canyon Lakes Ranger District, Roosevelt National Forest, Colorado
2007-2008 Accomplishments

In 2005, the Canyon Lakes Ranger District made the decision to treat 7,100 acres of hazardous fuels in the Estes Valley area. Since this decision, more than 1,630 acres have been treated south of Estes Park. U.S. Forest Service crews mechanically treated more than 130 acres and contracted with outside crews to treat another 1,500 acres. Another contract has been awarded this year for the treatment of 880 more acres to be completed in the summer and fall of 2008.

Along with the mechanical treatment of hazardous fuels, the slash created from these treatments has also been managed. More than 5,600 piles, or approximately 450 acres, or slash piles have been burned this winter and spring by U.S. Forest Service crews. Aspen enhancement for wildlife habitat improvement was also included in this project, with 50 acres completed.

This project was done under the Healthy Forest Restoration Act and involved a great deal of cooperator and public participation. Five communities in the Estes Valley area have completed Community Wildfire Protection Plans and another community is in the process. These communities include the Windcliff Estates, YMCA of the Rockies, Thunder Mountain, Little Valley, and Big Elk Meadows.

This interest and dedication of the local community made this project a priority for the U.S. Forest Service. Many of these communities are actively mitigating hazardous fuels in the wildland-urban interface. The Little Valley subdivision is a great example of this. With grant money and hard work from the community, more than 90% of the homes in the subdivision have done some defensible space. The subdivision has also cleared roads to accommodate fire vehicles. It is a testament of the dedication of these homeowners to support fire mitigation.

Contact: Reghan Cloudman, Public Affairs Specialist, 970-295-6770 or rcloudman@fs.fed.us.