Fire Ecology Annual Report, Colorado Front Range and Northwest Colorado Park Clusters: Calendar Year 2010

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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 2010 field season was an interesting one for the Rocky Mountain fire effects crew. Both Rocky Mountain National Park (ROMO) and Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve (GRSA) experienced the largest fires recorded since the parks were established. Monitoring efforts focused on ROMO and Dinosaur National Monument (DINO). Monitoring efforts at DINO focused on plots in the East Cactus, Dry Woman, West Cactus I, West Cactus II, Lower Disaster Falls, Disappointment Draw, and Zenobia Basin project areas as well as plotwork in the headquarters housing area evaluating cheat grass (Bromus tectorum) eradication work. In July and again in September/October the crew was heavily involved in supporting the Cow Creek incident in a number of different capacities from monitoring and decision support to logistical support. 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.

Fire Ecology Annual Report, Colorado Front Range and Northwest Colorado Park Clusters: Calendar Year 2010

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