July 13, 2004

Public Summit to Focus on Wildfire Risk In Sawtooth National Forest

A public information exchange to discuss wildfire risk and mountain pine beetle activity in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area (SNRA) will be held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday, July 19, at the Stanley Community Center on Highway 21 in Stanley. An open house with displays on each of the topics discussed during the day will begin at 4 p.m. For more information, contact Sarah Bigger at the Environmental Science and Public Policy Research Institute at Boise State University at 208 426-1009 or Joe Harper at the SNRA at at 208 727-5000. Visitors to the Stanley area have been struck by the abundance of red trees dominating the landscape. The trees are lodgepole pines killed by mountain pine beetles. Although the pine beetle epidemic is a natural part of the ecosystem, the number of infested trees is large because they are all the same variety and similar in age. The summit will address what has been done so far to mitigate the damage and how this situation affects the threat of wildfires. Speakers from the Idaho Department of Lands, U.S. Forest Service and the Sawtooth National Forest will discuss lodgepole pine ecology, the mountain pine beetle epidemic, the potential wildfire risks and potential mitigation treatments. Half of each presentation will be reserved for discussion and questions. The public is invited to come and go through the day as schedules permit. Bob Mutch, retired from a 38-year career in forest fire research and fire management with the U.S. Forest Service, will speak at a noon brown-bag lunch. His topic, “The Crown Fire Cycle: History Will Repeat,” touches on fire regimes, lessons from the Yellowstone fire and homeowner responsibilities. During the open house, Forest Service personnel will gather feedback on specific methods that might be utilized in the future to reduce fire risk and promote forest health. Staff will provide opportunities for participants to put ideas in writing and on a map. -30- Contact Sarah Bigger Environmental Science and Public Policy Research Institute 208 426-1009 Media Contact Kathleen Craven communications and marketing 208 426-3275