Colorado Outdoor Recreation Resource Project: March 19, 2010
Tree Falling Rates:
- Lodgepole Pine killed by Mountain Pine Beetle begins to fall within 3 years after death in thinned stands, 5 years in unthinned stands.
- Thinned stands: 50% had fallen within 8 years, 90% within 12 years.
- Unthinned stands: 50% fallen within 9 years, 90% within 14 years.
Hazard Tree Math:
- Research science estimates approximately 98,000 dead lodgepole trees fall each day across the "Theater"
- The average dead lodgepole tree weighs appoximately 1,018 pounds.
- Applying the Universal Law of Gravity, that tree will strike a "target" at 57.3 mph.
Affected Infrastructure:
- 898 miles of non-motorized trails
- 407 miles of motorized trails
- 204 miles of snow machine trails
- 3,700 miles of Forest System roads
- 932 recreation sites
- 16 permitted ski areas
- 14 tracts that include organizational camps and recreation residences
- 550 miles of powerlines
- Additional infrastructure consisting of electron sites, water dellivery, fences, oil/gas facilities.
Near Miss at the Blue Ridge Fuels Cutting Unit:
Tuesday September 8, 2009
Wind was less than 5 mph and trees were not touching each other. The rotten tree fell towards the sawyer. Another man noticed the tree falling and was able to get the sawyer out of the way. Both men were able to avoid the tree without being hit.
Clearing Trails & Roads
Pulic Hazard
Recreation Sites Destruction
Recreation Sites Destruction
Ski Area Destruction
Clear Roads of Destroyed Trees
Potentially Endangered Power Lines
Potentially Endangered Power Lines
