Poncha Pass Beetle Kill - Poncha Pass Private Douglas-fir Beetle Salvage Service Work

The Poncha Pass Private Douglas-fir Beetle Salvage Service Work project will deliver 13 acres of forest health restoration and hazardous fuels reduction. The dry-mixed conifer forests in the Poncha Pass area have been decimated by a combination of western spruce budworm and Douglas-fir beetle. These infestations have led to significant mortality of the Douglas-fir trees within the project area. The project’s primary goal is to remove standing dead, trees that are actively infested with bark beetles, and excessive dwarf mistletoe infection to restore stands to desirable conditions. Additional goals of the project are to reduce hazardous fuels near structures and the restoration of an aspen stand through removal of encroaching conifers. The project will include a combination of timber harvest and chipping of slash and small diameter material to meet the project specifications.