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A new special projects forester with extensive knowledge of forest ecosystems is now stationed in the Salida Field Office of the Colorado State Forest Service.Â
The new forester, Colorado resident Mercedes Siegle-Gaither, will support the local Chaffee Treats program in its goal of reducing fire risk across Chaffee County.Â
Through this program, Siegle-Gaitherâs primary focus will be helping private landowners navigate the forest management process.
âI canât wait to get involved with the community and local forests to increase stewardship in the area. We have such amazing forests here in the Upper Arkansas Valley of Colorado,â Siegle-Gaither said. âI feel that taking care of our forest ecosystems is something we can all be a part of. Healthy forests mean healthy communities.â
Colorado officials in charge of battling large-scale wildfires believe they re ready for the blazes they say will undoubtedly take place in the coming months.
The wildfire forecast issued Thursday by the state’s Division of Fire Prevention and Control warned of above-average fire activity in southeastern Colorado through June, and a potential for large fires in Southern Colorado and on the Western Slope throughout the summer.
State officials were joined at Centennial Airport on Thursday by Gov. Jared Polis, who noted that Colorado experienced a challenging and tragic fire season last year, with hundreds of thousands of acres burned, three of the largest wildfires in history, and at least two lives lost.
Overall, the Colorado State Forest Service says that if the tree still has its leader: the main upward branch then the tree will most likely make a full recovery.