Fire Ecology Annual Report, Colorado Front Range and Northwest Colorado Park Clusters: Calendar Year 2009

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A summary of fire ecology activities and program information for the Park/network including fire effects plot workload, staffing, management objectives and monitoring results, and planning, fire monitoring, communications, and research. Also included are staff accomplishments/areas of focus, future program direction and other optional information (e.g. data analysis graphics or presentations, annual highlights, publications, program challenges, unique solutions to problems, collaboration, photographs of monitoring/fire activities, and suggestions on FFI). The Rocky Mountain fire effects crew covered a considerable amount of ground during the 2009 season conducting monitoring efforts at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (BLCA), Dinosaur National Monument (DINO), Colorado National Monument (COLM), Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve (GRSA), and Rocky Mountain National Park (ROMO). The ecologist and crew lead began the field season traveling to BLCA to establish monitoring plots and assist with the first prescribed burn in that park’s history. Monitoring efforts at DINO focused on plots in the Bighorn Basin, Chew Basin, and Slaugh Wall prescribed burns as well as plotwork in the headquarters housing area evaluating cheat grass (Bromus tectorum) eradication work. From DINO the crew headed south to COLM to establish plots in the Monument Mesa and Red Canyon prescribed fire units. In August the crew traveled to GRSA to establish monitoring plots in the Liberty prescribed fire unit. The remainder of the summer was spent at Rocky establishing FMH plots, conducting post-burn plot reads, entering data, conducting exotic and rare plant surveys, monitoring live and dead fuel moistures, participating in fire assignments, and taking advantage of local training opportunities.

Fire Ecology Annual Report, Colorado Front Range and Northwest Colorado Park Clusters: Calendar Year 2009

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