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A Look Back : Post Colorado Wildfire Mitigation Enters New Phase of Recovery
Now that it ’ s been more than three years since Colorado experienced its largest wildfire in state history , post-fire recovery work is shifting from disaster mitigation to long-term recovery . The objective of this work is to create a more resilient watershed and restore stream processes to handle post-fire impacts and limit the burn severity when the next fire occurs . This next phase includes a myriad of “ low-tech ” mitigation measures aimed at restoring the long-term health of the watershed , making it more resilient after future fires .
This work involves “ low-tech process-based restoration ( LTPBR ),” which is the idea that streams can naturally absorb impacts from a wildfire if these streams have their natural processes intact . It includes installing log structures within the stream , using native rock to stabilize the flow , and strategically planting native willows , among several other methods .
Beyond the long-term benefits of this restoration approach , this type of solution is also cost-effective , allowing for work to be distributed more widely across the basin with projects that require less money . Ayres ’ work on this post-fire work will continue through 2024 , with a potential to stretch into 2025 .