Wildland-Urban Interface Defensible Space Plan
Contact: Cal Wettstein, District Ranger, 970-827-5150.
Vail Valley Wildland-Urban Interface Defensible Space Plan
Vail, Intermountain, Minturn and Eagle-Vail
Strategy for Hazardous Fuels Treatment
Adopted the implementation of Colorado State Forest Service's "FireWise" multi-agency program that encourages the development of defensible space and the prevention of catastrophic wildfires.
Eagle-Vail
Columbine Drive
Minturn
West Vail
1) Deer Boulevard
The area was identified based on the following selection criteria:
- Areas within conifer fuel types, Douglas fir
- Areas with structures in close proximity to hazardous fuels
- Areas with steep slopes and hazardous fuels
Current Vegetation Condition:
- Mature Douglas fir with aspen and brush/shrub intermixed
Proposed Vegetation Treatment:
- Remove dead trees; standing and down within 100-150 feet from structures
- Where Douglas fir trees encroach on structures implement the following:
-remove live trees and flammable ground vegetation within 30 of structures
-prune conifer trees 10-12 feet from ground or 1/3 of total crown height that are located between 30 and 50 feet from structures
-thin live green conifer trees between 30 and 150 feet from structures to achieve desired spacing between crowns of 6-10 feet, targeting the least healthiest trees
2) Elk Lane
The area was identified based on the following selection criteria:
- Areas within conifer fuel types, Douglas fir
- Areas with structures in close proximity to hazardous fuels
- Areas with steep slopes and hazardous fuels
Current Vegetation Condition:
- Mature Douglas fir with aspen intermixed
Proposed Vegetation Treatment:
- Remove dead trees; standing and down within 100-150 feet from structures
- Where Douglas fir trees encroach on structures implement the following:
-remove live trees and flammable ground vegetation within 30 of structures
-prune conifer trees 10-12 feet from ground or 1/3 of total crown height that are located between 30 and 50 feet from structures
-thin live green conifer trees between 30 and 150 from structure to achieve desired spacing between crowns of 6-10 feet, targeting the least healthiest trees
3) Whiskey Hill
The area was identified based on the following selection criteria:
- Areas within conifer fuel types, LPP
- Areas with structures in close proximity to hazardous fuels
- Areas experiencing mountain pine beetle activity and tree mortality
- Areas with steep slopes and hazardous fuels
Current Vegetation Condition:
- Mature mix conifer (lodgepole, Douglas fir, spruce, fir) with aspen intermixed
Proposed Vegetation Treatment:
- Remove dead trees; standing and down within 100-150 feet from structures
- Remove trees infested with mountain pine beetle within 100-150 from structures
- Remove shrubs and flammable ground vegetation with 30-50 feet from structures
- Prune conifer trees 10-12 feet from ground or 1/3 of total crown height within 30-50 feet from structures
4) Minturn
The area was identified based on the following selection criteria:
- Areas within conifer fuel types, LPP
- Areas with structures in close proximity to hazardous fuels
- Areas experiencing mountain pine beetle activity and tree mortality
- Areas with steep slopes and hazardous fuels
Current Vegetation Condition:
- Mature mix conifer (lodgepole, Douglas fir, spruce, fir) with aspen intermixed
Proposed Vegetation Treatment:
- Remove dead trees; standing and down within 100-150 feet from structures
- Remove trees infested with mountain pine beetle within 100-150 from structures
- Remove shrubs and flammable ground vegetation with 30-50 feet from structures
- Prune conifer trees 10-12 feet from ground or 1/3 of total crown height within 30-50 feet from structures
5) Compound
The area was identified based on the following selection criteria:
- Areas within conifer fuel types, LPP
- Areas with structures in close proximity to hazardous fuels
- Areas experiencing mountain pine beetle activity and tree mortality
- Areas with steep slopes and hazardous fuels
Current Vegetation Condition:
- Mature lodgepole pine with aspen intermixed
Proposed Vegetation Treatment:
- Remove dead trees; standing and down within 100-150 feet from structures
- Remove brush/shrub and flammable ground vegetation with 30 feet from structures
- Prune conifer trees 10-12 feet from ground or 1/3 of total crown height within 30-50 feet from structures
- Thin live green conifer trees within 200 feet of structures to achieve desired spacing between crowns of 6-10 feet, targeting the least healthiest trees and trees infested with mountain pine beetle
6) Intermountain
The area was identified on the following selection criteria:
- Areas within conifer fuel types, LPP
- Areas with structures in close proximity to hazardous fuels
- Areas experiencing mountain pine beetle activity and tree mortality
- Areas with steep slopes and hazardous fuels
- Areas with valley induced weather/wind conditions
Current Vegetation Condition:
- Mature mix conifer (lodgepole, spruce, fir) with aspen intermixed
Proposed Vegetation Treatment:
- Remove dead trees; standing and down within 100-150 feet from structures
- Remove trees infested with mountain pine beetle within 100-150 from structures
- Remove shrubs and flammable ground vegetation with 30-50 feet from structures
- Prune conifer trees 10-12 feet from ground or 1/3 of total crown height within 30-50 feet from structures
7) Streamside
The area was identified on the following selection criteria:
- Areas within conifer fuel types, LPP
- Areas with structures in close proximity to hazardous fuels
- Areas experiencing mountain pine beetle activity and tree mortality
- Areas with steep slopes and hazardous fuels
- Areas with valley induced weather/wind conditions
Current Vegetation Condition:
- Mature mix conifer (lodgepole, spruce, fir) with aspen intermixed
Proposed Vegetation Treatment:
- Remove dead trees; standing and down within 100-150 feet from structures
- Remove trees infested with mountain pine beetle within 100-150 from structures
- Remove shrubs and flammable ground vegetation with 30-50 feet from structures
- Prune conifer trees 10-12 feet from ground or 1/3 of total crown height within 30-50 feet from structures
8) Davos/Chomonix
The area was identified on the following selection criteria:
- Areas within shrub/ brush fuel types
- Areas with structures in close proximity to hazardous fuels
- Areas with steep slopes and hazardous fuels
- Areas with a recurring wildfire history
Current Vegetation Condition:
- Brush/shrub (sage, serviceberry, mountain mahogany) and grass
Proposed Vegetation Treatment:
- The following shall apply to un-irrigated landscapes:
-remove or cut brush/shubs within 30 feet of structures
-clear bush/shrubs and flammable vegetation from conifer trees located within 30 uphill from structures
-within 30 feet from structures prune conifer trees 3-5 feet from ground or 1/3 of total crown height, or isolate conifer trees from surrounding flammable shrubs by 15 feet
9) Bighorn
The area was identified on the following selection criteria:
- Areas within conifer fuel types, LPP
- Areas with structures in close proximity to hazardous fuels
- Areas experiencing mountain pine beetle activity and tree mortality
- Areas with steep slopes and hazardous fuels
- Areas with canyon induced weather/wind conditions
Current Vegetation Condition:
- Established aspen stand west of Bighorn Creek
- Mature mix conifer east of Bighorn Creek, lodgepole pine, spruce
Proposed Vegetation Treatment:
- Remove dead trees; standing and down within 100-150 feet from structures
- Remove juniper and flammable ground vegetation with 30 feet from structure
- Prune conifer trees 10-12 feet from ground or 1/3 of total height crown within 30-50 feet from structures
- Thin live green conifer trees to achieve desired spacing between crowns of 6-10 feet, targeting the least healthiest trees and trees infested with mountain pine beetle
Summary of Treatment:
| Treatment Area | Forest Service | Other Ownership | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
Deer Boulevard |
1.9 |
37.5 |
39.4 |
Elk Lane |
5.3 |
18.3 |
23.6 |
Whiskey Hill |
0.0 |
44.6 |
44.6 |
Minturn |
2.4 |
49.5 |
51.9 |
Compound |
7.4 |
2.9 |
6.3 |
Intermountain |
5.5 |
60.3 |
65.8 |
Streamside |
1.1 |
25.7 |
26.8 |
Davos/ Chamonix |
0.8 |
37.9 |
38.7 |
Bighorn |
1.5 |
6.9 |
8.4 |
TOTAL |
25.9 |
283.6 |
309.5 |
For more information or to schedule a presentation for a community group, call Karl Mendonca at 970-827-5160 or Cal Wettstein at 970-827-5150.
