YOU ASK |
WE ANSWER |
How do I know if a burned tree is alive or dead? |
Not all burned trees will die. Ponderosa pines, for example, are a fire-adapted species. If a tree is burned but has at least 50% of its needles, we recommend you leave it standing. It may recover. When a tree is black and void of all or most of it's needles, it is dead. |
Will BTCD create a defensible space around my home? |
Our program does not cover defensible space projects. Our goal is to address resource concerns. The Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) develops education materials and programs to assist homeowners, landowners and communities in taking action to reduce their wildfire risk. For more information please visit: https://csfs.colostate.edu/wildfire-mitigation/ |
Will BTCD provide funding to cut down dead trees on my property? |
Unfortunately the District does not currently have any cost share programs to cut down dead trees. Nor can we come out for the sole purpose of removing burned trees. Our goal is overall forest health. Healthier forests are more resistant to wildfire. |
What is the minimum property size for BTCD forestry projects? |
The ideal property size for BTCD is 35 acres or more and has a grade that allows it to be operable by machine. However, if there are other adjacent properties that can be combined to create a large enough property, we can work with that. |
What treatments are recommended to help reduce erosion and runoff? |
Mulching is one of best treatment options available to help limit the amount of soil erosion and runoff after a fire. If your land is on relatively steep slopes (about 20-60% slope) and was moderately-to-severely burned by the fire (with a high amount of ground cover consumed), then it would probably be beneficial to apply mulch to your land. |
Could runoff from burned hill slopes impact my private road or driveway? |
Yes, in many locations throughout the burned area, private unpaved roads and driveways may be impacted by erosion or deposition of sediment or debris. Damage to the road surface, roadside ditches and/or cross drainage features may occur. |
Do I need to reseed? |
In most cases you won’t need to reseed. Even in the most severely burned areas, research suggests that post-fire native grasses and flowers will reestablish on their own. Lessons learned from past Front Range fires show that native vegetation is very well adapted to fire and will begin re-growth in the spring. If the soils are hydrophobic, then a sterile grass could be seeded to break up the soils. |
What are hydrophobic soils? |
In severe fires, the combustion of vegetative materials creates a gas that penetrates the soil profile. As the soil cools, this gas condenses and forms a waxy coating. This causes the soil to repel water – a phenomena called hydrophobicity. This hydrophobic condition increases the rate of water runoff. Percolation of water into the soil profile is reduced, making it difficult for seeds to germinate and for the roots of surviving plants to obtain moisture. For more information visit: https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/agriculture/soil-erosion-control-after-wildfire-6-308/ |
What is EQIP? |
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary, conservation program administered by NRCS that can provide financial and technical assistance to install conservation practices that address natural resource concerns. |
Will EQIP funding retroactively reimburse me for work already completed? |
No |
Do I have to complete the forestry work myself? |
Landowners do not complete the work themselves. BTCD will arrange and manage all logging operations on your behalf. |
What if I do NOT qualify for EQIP funding? |
-With landowner input (cash match) BTCD can apply for grants on your behalf to cover up to 50% of costs. -BTCD can perform site visits to provide technical advice. consultations and/or tree marking labor at an hourly rate -BTCD can recommend qualified contractors to complete the work. |
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR LANDOWNERS