Volume 9, Issue 1 A forest stewardship and wildfire mitigation newsletter for the rural land- Spring 2011 owner, provided by Fremont County Firewise The Mountain Pine Beetle on the Shoshone Forest is currently planned. fire suppression costs and in- Addressing forest creased public health has been an and firefighter emphasis area on the safety. Shoshone since 2002. The Shoshone’s timber The 2010 aerial sur- and fuels programs vey indicated that 1.1 plan complementary million acres of the work to mitigate im- Shoshone’s 2.4 million pacts from insect in- acres are impacted by festations, with more insects. Mortality in importance placed mature trees in af- It is no surprise, but the the public as long as it around high value ar- fected areas ranges mountain pine beetles is safe to do so. eas such as communi- from 25 to 100 per- are killing trees at epi- Work on assessments ties, private property, cent. Additional mor- demic levels and will and hazard tree re- recreation facilities, tality is expected, affect the landscape of moval in camp- and infrastructure. most notably on the forest for years to grounds, resort areas, southern portions of come. On the Shoshone The goal of vegetation and other developed the Shoshone in areas National Forest, and management in re- sites is a high priority. such as the Wind surrounding lands, sponse to the insect Work has been per- River drainage. spruce bark beetles, infestation is to create formed in the past Douglas fir beetles, and a healthier, stronger, Project areas to com- years, and will con- mountain pine beetles sustainable forest that bat this mortality are tinue through fiscal are all present. will: currently located in year 2011. the Wind River drain- The Shoshone National Enable managers Hazard trees are being age near Dubois Forest’s response to the to manage wildfire dropped by Forest Ser- (Upper and Lower beetle infestation in- vice crews and the re- Be resilient to Wind Fuels Reduction cludes timber harvest- sulting material is be- natural distur- Projects) and the Mid- ing, spraying high value ing disposed of as fire- bances dle Fork of the Popo trees, firewood sales, wood. As work pro- Agie near Lander and controlled burns. It Protect watersheds gresses, other removal (Middle Fork Fuels is important to them to strategies will likely be Meet the needs of Reduction Project). reduce the potential for implemented, includ- wildlife habitat wildfire in our commu- ing small timber sales nities, while keeping Increase security or contract removal. the public and firefight- of infrastructure Emphasis on utilizing INSIDE THIS ISSUE: ers safe. The foresters from the impact of the products, either as also want to keep rec- wildfire Spring Maintenance 2 firewood or saw logs, reation areas open to Lead to reduced New Website 3 New Coordinator 4 FOOTHILLS OBSERVER Page 2 It’s Spring Maintenance Time The days are growing longer Here are just a few remind- neighborhood—remember by the minute, and warmer ers about what we really to stay consistent to keep weather is finally beginning to need to do this spring and plants green all year. return to the foothills and ba- early summer to have a safe sins of Western Wyoming. As and enjoyable year; Review evacuation residents of such pristine plans, both subdivision country, our thoughts rapidly and family. Make changes now if needed escape to all of the fun activi- Clean all needles, twigs, since things do change. ties we left behind last fall. and leaves from the roof, eaves, and gutters. Inspect the cache of emergency supplies and Clear debris away from The National Weather Service tools. here locally has released the the foundation right af- first look forward to what ap- terwards. Just one afternoon and 10 Clean out yard beds pears to be a welcome run minutes a week make for a off / stream flow prediction for Move and re-stack the good effort on maintaining the upcoming summer firewood pile from last all the hard work you have months. (Welcome unless winter. It might have already done to be Mother Nature tricks us again crept a little closer than FIREWISE. in June with rain and warm it should have, and most Enjoy your summer and be weather which leads to flood- likely is full of needles safe. ing.) The streams and rivers as well. of the Wind River Basin are Clean all vegetation and potentially going to see good other accumulated de- inflows with the 100% or bris out from under or above snow pack figures re- around the deck. What a leased at the first part of Feb- better time to clean and ruary. reseal the deck for that summer barbeque. All this is welcome news after Trim all branches up several years of drought once again that have across the region. But, we grown over the last sea- must not forget that the lasting son, making sure none effects from the drought are are overhanging where yet present in our wildlands, they should not be. most important to our fire pre- vention efforts are the pine Rake out all the smaller beetle infestations. The dry shrubs and bushes, not years have stressed our for- to forget about any ests opening them up for dis- ground covers which ease attacks and the mountain may have caught trash pine beetle has grasp the op- during the winter winds. FREMONT COUNTY portunity. So, with this in FIREWISE Double check the house mind, lets not forget that address numbers to spring cleaning around struc- Fremont County Firewise make sure they are still 305 South Smith Road tures is perhaps more impor- visible. Riverton, WY 82501 tant than ever. It is not break- ing news that our trees are Mow up any left over un- dying and dead, so let us not kept grass from last forget that the dead needles summer. Phone: 307-857-3030 are going somewhere since Email: they are no longer on the Begin a routine of plant trees. watering to green up the VOLUME9, ISSUE 1 Page 3 Part of Good Planning Is Good Planting Throughout the past 10 grasses cut, to limb up trees to While doing some simple years, one of the most critical prevent a ladder effect during things to help make your Firewise principles that we’ve a raging fire, and to incorpo- Firewise landscape efforts emphasized is adopting rate fuel breaks, it is most im- more manageable this Firewise landscape prac- portant to know which types of spring, your outdoor labors tices. plants are safest to have close also will have more benefi- to your home. cial long term results. While this can and does in- clude paying attention to your To learn about fire-prone Research and planning now home ignition zone—your plants versus those that can is perfect opportunity to get home and every thing around delay or prevent fire from a head start on activities it with in 100-200 feet— it also reaching your home, visit the you’ll want to tackle this relates to vegetation that you Firewise Plants List at spring. have throughout your entire www.firewise.org/usa/ property. fw_plantlists.htm. While it’s important to keep 1/3 Mile to Safety As each of us prepare to firefighters, and others gath- enactment of the event. Fire and spend time with our families ered in a remote corner of Remember, it never hap- gunpowder do not this season, watch this video Montana to hear that family’s pened to that community or as a refresher of the dangers story and learn how to protect sleep well that family before either. involved wildfire around our their own lives and property together - homes. should wildfire strike. The web site is; Proverb In October 2003, tragedy Follow them as they walk their Www.firesafemt.org/ struck a family San Diego own “1/3 of a Mile” and learn resources County, California. For them, more about the events of that nothing would ever be the terrible day through a remark- Under resources pick “1/3 same. able event called a “staff ride”. mile to safety” for the video. Hear their responses to this In August 2010, homeowners, Have a safe summer! emotional and motivating re- New Website Coming A new website is being de- tos of the work you do. As ously. We feel it is important veloped to replace the almost project get underway this for the communities to have a 10 year old existing site. The year, take a minute to take a common place for the sharing current site has served us few shots to share with your of information, what ever it well, but lacks some modern neighbors. may be. day features everyone felt Another expanded feature The look is going to change would be more beneficial in will be the addition of the eventually for the better, but today’s time. Homestead Park community the current site will remain One of the changes will be page, and the Wind River Fire functional until the new site is the addition of a photo gal- Prevention Council’s page. ready hopefully in early May.. lery. This gallery will be de- They will join the Union Pass Check in from time to time to signed to display YOUR pho- page that has existed previ- see the new site. FREMONT COUNTY FIREWISE Wildfire Safety Through Prevention Fremont County Firewise 305 South Smith Road Riverton, WY 82501 W ERE O N T HE W EB! WWW.FREMONTCOUNTYFIREWISE.COM There’s Been a Change As most of you know by now, back ground with him.