North Rim Road Roadway Treatment 1

Red Feather Lakes Area Wildfire Defense Project

Introduction and Purpose of Project

The Red Feather Lakes Area Wildfire Defense Project, jointly administered by Larimer County Office of Emergency Management and Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed and funded through the US Department of Agriculture Community Wildfire Defense Grant (CWDG) program, focuses on four main objectives to improve wildfire readiness:

1. Reduction of hazardous fuels in open space, along roadways, and on private properties

2. Reduction of risk to properties through hazard assessment and defensible space treatments

3. Improved evacuation plans, procedures, and routes

4. Enhanced community capacity to handle woody biomass generated during these treatments

The North Rim Road Roadway Treatment 1 project was prioritized by the Glacier View Fire Protection District Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP), and will be implemented by the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Services (LCSO ES) wildland crew. This project will address objectives 1, 3, and 4 above.

The GVFPD, local managers. and other partners identified the Ben Delatour Scout Ranch and North Rim Road area as locations for immediate fuel reduction activities.

Project Area & Description

The project area is comprised of private properties along North Rim Road, north of Elkhorn Creek, and within the Glacier View Fire Protection District (see map). Forest type in the treatment area is generally ponderosa pine and dry mixed-conifer, with components of aspen and riparian vegetation.

Treatment Objectives

This project will address fuels along the eastern side of the roadway of North Rim Road, in order to improve the route as an evacuation corridor, and reduce wildfire intensity moving west to east should a wildfire approach the community of Glacier View Meadows from the west.

Treatment Prescription

The treatment will extend approximately 150’ from the east side of North Rim Road. Treatment will only take place on private properties whose owners have executed Right of Entry agreements with CPRW and Larimer County.

Larger diameter, well-formed, healthy canopy trees will be retained with at least 10’ of spacing between tree crowns. Retained trees will be pruned to at least 6’. Groups of trees will also be retained, with greater than 10’ of spacing between crowns of tree groups. Smaller diameter trees will be removed, along with mid-sized and larger trees to maintain adequate crown spacing. Aspen, willow, and other riparian vegetation will be retained.

All slash (material <6” diameter) will be piled near the edge of the road for later removal. All larger diameter material will also be piled near the edge of the road for later removal and use as firewood for the community.

The below graphics (from the Colorado State Forest Service) help to illustrate the treatment intent.