As firefighters work to suppress the Alexander Mountain Fire in Larimer County, a new film is coming to our communities that helps us make sense of fire in our Landscapes. In August 2020, as the Cameron Peak Fire threatened communities in Northern Colorado, a remarkable turn of events unfolded. The fire, one of the most destructive and the largest in the state’s history, encountered the footprint of a previous U.S. Forest Service prescribed burn and the Drala Mountain Center (formerly Shambhala Mountain Center) mechanical forest restoration treatment. This convergence of efforts proved pivotal in providing firefighters with a critical advantage, allowing them to halt a portion of the fire and prevent further spread of the fire into communities downwind and in the path of the wildfire. James White, US Forest Service relayed “as the fire interacted with the ribbon of interconnected forest treatments, the intensity of the fire was drawn out. It was because of the actions on this landscape before the Cameron Peak Fire that allowed the communities downwind to be protected during this event.”
The story of the Cameron Peak Fire in this landscape and the importance of landscape restoration is told in the 16-minute film, “Fireforest” by Fort Collins filmmaker Evan Barrientos. The film features accounts from a USDA Forest Service fire specialist, a Larimer Conservation District forester, and the Drala Mountain Center land manager. Through their perspectives, “Fireforest” highlights the importance of fire and forest management as natural and essential components of the landscape. The film advocates for a shift in how we perceive fire and underscores the need for proactive forest preparation to coexist with wildfires.
“Fireforest” is currently available for viewing exclusively at in-person screenings. The screening schedule is as follows:
August 18: Loveland/Berthoud showing at Berthoud Brewing Company, hosted by Big Thompson Watershed Coalition
August 20: Fort Collins showing at The Lyric, hosted by Larimer Conservation District
August 22: Estes Park showing at the Estes Valley Community Center, hosted by Estes Valley Watershed Coalition
October 1: Snowmass, Colorado Wildland Fire Conference (conference registration required)
Date TBA: Red Feather Lakes, hosted by Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed
Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from some of the film participants and local fire officials, who are scheduled to speak and answer questions at each screening.
“Fireforest” is a powerful reminder of the resilience and resourcefulness required to coexist alongside fire in our western forests. By embracing fire as a natural part of the ecosystem and preparing our forests accordingly, we can foster a more hopeful future for our communities and landscapes. “Our hearts are with the communities impacted by the recent wildfires in Northern Colorado, and we hope these screenings will also serve as a venue for community members to engage with local partners to better understand pre- and post-wildfire efforts. Please consider joining a screening to meet your neighbors, ask questions, and learn more about the nuance of wildfire influence on our landscapes!” says Larimer Conservation District Executive Director, Gretchen Reuning.
For more information and to register to attend a free viewing, please visit https://www.fireforestphoto.com/film.
Company: Larimer Conservation District
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