Global warming means more wildfires for California and western states

[1AngryTaxPayer]

NM and much of the area by my ranch in CO are being ravaged by fires right now. It's downright scarey. If the Ft Collins fire keeps going south it's going to roll right over my Uncle's place.

[.highnlite]

Originally Posted by Fontucky

My niece just sent me a bunch of pics of a home on 10 acres in SW Colorado that's in escrow with her for purchase. I instantly went into wildland firefighter mode and fired off a list of hazard reductions that would need immediate attention from her. I also included a list of secondary hazards.

Eg: huge pines next to and touching the (wooden) house; Thick stands of Gambel oak and pinyon-juniper with a cured grass understory surrounding the barn and both propane tanks. The fuel up to and surrounding the tanks also has the added potential of being downslope from the tanks so they'll be sure to be nice and preheated by the upslope burn.

No standpipes, no preconnected hose, no nuttin. Nightmare.

I literally had seasonal anxiety attacks over our place near Truckee. Standard east side jeffrey pine stand, second growth dense timber, dry as a bone all summer. By July the pine needles crackled and nearly sparked as you walked over them.

I thinned our own timber, more and more every year. I built corrals on the west and south property lines up to 200 feet wide. The stock ate the duff down to mineral soil, but, I have seen flames jump larger distances than across our land. Your niece has a big job ahead of her. Among other things she should not have less than 20 feet of clear air between the crowns of all trees on the property, and no fuel ladder, at all. Fence it and put goats on it!, but you know this.

Kind of a relief being on the coast, higher fuel moistures, with cropland and riparian all around the ranch residences, about as fire safe as one can get, even safer than in a neighborhood.

[nullgeo]

Originally Posted by .highnlite

I literally had seasonal anxiety attacks over our place near Truckee. Standard east side jeffrey pine stand, second growth dense timber, dry as a bone all summer. By July the pine needles crackled and nearly sparked as you walked over them.

I thinned our own timber, more and more every year. I built corrals on the west and south property lines up to 200 feet wide. The stock ate the duff down to mineral soil, but, I have seen flames jump larger distances than across our land. Your niece has a big job ahead of her. Among other things she should not have less than 20 feet of clear air between the crowns of all trees on the property, and no fuel ladder, at all. Fence it and put goats on it!, but you know this.

Kind of a relief being on the coast, higher fuel moistures, with cropland and riparian all around the ranch residences, about as fire safe as one can get, even safer than in a neighborhood.

Or go to sea in a galvanized washtub

[Fontucky]

Originally Posted by .highnlite

Among other things she should not have less than 20 feet of clear air between the crowns of all trees on the property, and no fuel ladder, at all

I'm going to suggest the removal of all pines close to the house and suggest cottonwoods (if they can thrive at 7000+ feet) for shade. They grow fast and can get their water from grey water, like we do in the high desert around here.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Originally Posted by .highnlite

I literally had seasonal anxiety attacks over our place near Truckee. Standard east side jeffrey pine stand, second growth dense timber, dry as a bone all summer. By July the pine needles crackled and nearly sparked as you walked over them.

I thinned our own timber, more and more every year. I built corrals on the west and south property lines up to 200 feet wide. The stock ate the duff down to mineral soil, but, I have seen flames jump larger distances than across our land. Your niece has a big job ahead of her. Among other things she should not have less than 20 feet of clear air between the crowns of all trees on the property, and no fuel ladder, at all. Fence it and put goats on it!, but you know this.

Kind of a relief being on the coast, higher fuel moistures, with cropland and riparian all around the ranch residences, about as fire safe as one can get, even safer than in a neighborhood.

You did it right. I wish everyone would.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Originally Posted by Fontucky

I'm going to suggest the removal of all pines close to the house and suggest cottonwoods (if they can thrive at 7000+ feet) for shade. They grow fast and can get their water from grey water, like we do in the high desert around here.

Cottonwoods maybe, or try their relative, Aspens, assuming there's enough moisture.

[BeauCharles]

Originally Posted by Fontucky

My niece just sent me a bunch of pics of a home on 10 acres in SW Colorado that's in escrow with her for purchase.

Is she originally from California? Are the locals going to show up at her place with torches and pitchforks?

[Fontucky]

1. Yes, South OC

2. She's lived in both Durango and this little town for the past 4 years. Just as I encountered when I moved to Spokane, nobody cares where she's from, despite all the horror stories. (always told by Californians, I might add)