Persistent drought is placing Colorado’s forests and communities in jeopardy as a catalyst for insect outbreaks and large, destructive wildfires, according to a new report from the Colorado State Forest Service.
This week, the CSFS presented its annual report on forest health to legislators at the state Capitol, highlighting the current conditions of Colorado’s forests and the need to reduce wildfire fuels.
“This is a unique moment for Colorado’s forests,” said Matt McCombs, state forester and director of the CSFS. “Drought continues to spur insect activity in our forests and increase the potential for more record-setting fires like those we’ve seen the last two years, whether that’s acres burned or structures lost. In this report, we look at the trends driving these forest health challenges and what the Colorado State Forest Service is doing to protect our forests and help communities adapt to a new normal for wildfire.”
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