About

This long-term multimedia project aims to help Coloradans understand that fire is an essential part of the solution to megafires, that fire is a natural part of Colorado’s forests, and that forests have a natural ability to recover from it. It will also help Coloradans understand that not all fire is the same, and the right kind can promote forest health.

At the same time, severe fires do threaten the future of Colorado’s forests. So additionally, this project advocates for the urgent need to conduct forest and watershed restoration on a large scale. 

Objectives

1. Show that fire’s effects are diverse and can be both helpful and harmful.

2. Show how forests that receive restoration thinning regrow after fire.

3. Document the long-term response of ponderosa, lodgepole, and spruce-fir forests to the fire.

4. Illustrate the connections between fire, water, and restoration.

5. Show what forest restoration looks like and why it’s needed.

Evan Barrientos

Supporters

The Mighty Arrow Family Foundation, Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed, City of Fort Collins Utilities, Northern Colorado Fireshed Collaborative, Peaks to People, and American Wildfire Experience have generously funded Fireforest. Platte Basin Timelapse is a collaborator on the timelapse. Poudre Valley REA, Inc helped provide materials for the timelapse.