What is the Bailey Healthy Forests Initiative
We are a group of Partners helping to implement a variety of forest & river health Projects.
Waldo Canyon Fire: “worst-case scenario,” feds say
The NIMO report begins by setting the stage in describing the conditions that prevailed in June 2012 and how the “drought stressed vegetation” formed “a continuous fuel bed directly into the suburbs.” Everything, the study says, led to a “worst-case scenario.”
America Burning: The Yarnell Hill Tragedy and the Nation’s Wildfire Crisis
Watch this emotional documentary from The Weather Channel detailing the Yarnell Hill Fire and America’s wildfire problem here.
Arizona homeowners allege negligence in fighting Yarnell Hill fire
Ninety-one residents who lost their homes in the Yarnell Hill fire in June have filed claims against the state, local government and fire agencies, accusing them of negligence, recklessness and intentional misconduct in managing the summer blaze that killed 19 firefighters and destroyed 8,000 acres of wild land and more than 100 dwellings.
FAA Selects Six Sites for Unmanned Aircraft Research
After a rigorous 10-month selection process involving 25 proposals from 24 states, the Federal Aviation Administration has chosen six unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) research and test site operators across the country. Read more
Biomass for Energy
Colorado Springs Utilities will be using less coal in the upcoming year. Their pilot project will study replacing some of the coal at their Drake Power Plant with biomass. What a great way to use biomass and generate cleaner energy! Read more in the following articles:
Springs Utilities to launch pilot program to burn wood biofuel by the Colorado Springs Gazette
Colorado Springs Utilities plans to use less coal next year by KRDO News 13
Fuel Treatment Effectiveness
Fuel treatments on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation:
- Increased firefighter safety
- Enhanced management options
- Substantially reduced suppression cost and fires size
- Minimized negative effects on resources
Learn more about the effectiveness of fuel treatments in the Wallow Fire Fuel Treatment Effectiveness on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation in this report.
The Rising Cost of Wildfire Protection
Why are wildfires becoming more severe and expensive? Headwaters Economics explores this question and offers possible solutions to controlling these costs in their report: The Rising Cost of Wildfire Protection
Historical Data
The Pikes Peak, Plum Creek, and South Platte Forest Reserves by John G. Jack provides some great historical data for the Woodland Park Healthy Forest Initiative area.
Colorado’s first biomass plant begins delivering electricity
While some residents in the small Eagle County town worry about the impact on air quality, supporters hail the plant as a way to boost renewable energy and improve forest health. The biomass facility will burn wood to heat water, and the resulting steam will power a turbine, generating electricity.
Return to Tradition: The historical Native use of fire ecology of local fire adapted ecosystems
The Okmulgee Agency and Eastern Oklahoma Region, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) produced this video. Learn more at fire adapted.org