Pine Gulch Fire Impacts and the Work that Goes into Suppression, Repair, and Restoration; Kevin Hyatt

¹ Bureau of Land Management
 

Fire in the ecosystem is a natural process that bring changes to landscapes and ecosystems. When fire occurs, suppression actions also have impacts that can lead to changes. In this video, staff from the Grand Junction Field Office Bureau of Land Management (GJFO), discuss the Pine Gulch Fire. Topics include pre-fire condition, fire activity, fire burn severity, suppression activities, impacts to the landscape and riparian areas, suppression repair, and restoration. 

The Pine Gulch Fire started on July 31st and burned 138,642 acres. Manual, mechanical, and arial fire fighting tactics were used to help bring the fire under control nearly two months later. The fire burned through timber, shrublands, grasslands, and riparian areas. Resource Specialists from the GJFO provide information during the fire to help reduce impact to resources such as riparian areas. Additionally, Resources Specialists develop a suppression repair plan and restoration plans. A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team helps provide an assessment of values at risk (VAR) and provides an emergency stabilization plan. These three plans help protect and restore ecosystems and protect VARs.