2022-11-21CSFSPonchaPass - Poncha Pass Private Douglas-fir Beetle Salvage Service Work

The Poncha Pass Private Douglas-fir Beetle Salvage Service Work project will deliver 83 acres of forest health restoration and hazardous fuels reduction in Chaffee County, Colorado. 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 Douglas-firs standing dead, actively infested with bark beetles, and significantly defoliated from budworms 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 mastication to meet specifications.