Fire Hazard

Like other forests in the West, Silver County Forest is facing a serious risk of fire. Under naturally occurring conditions, forest fires are a vital component of most western ecosystems because they clean out the underbrush and young trees and maintain the biological diversity of the forest.  Because of recent fire suppression efforts, there has not been a forest fire in Silver County in several years. Consequently, there is a substantial amount of underbrush throughout the forest. In addition, limbs, tree tops, and cull logs that were left behind by the timber industry litter the forest floor.   

The underbrush and timber waste in the forest considerably increase the likelihood that once started a fire would find an ample supply of fuel, and would be more devastating to the forest as well as the adjacent areas, traveling easily among the forest segments and threatening the neighboring settlements. Old-growth trees and the wildlife habitat are also at risk. The proposals for new development at Crimson Mountain and Mineral Mountain increase the urgency of a management plan.

Proposals:

(a) The Forest will immediately discontinue any further logging activity and clear-cutting of the forest. Development of the Crimson Mountain areas and the Mineral Mountain Estates will be denied, as potential fires could ravage the housing developments, having dangerous and costly results. No controlled burns will be instituted -- nature will be allowed to take its course.

(b) The Forest will institute biennial controlled burns and phase out any future logging activity.  In addition, any future development within or along the forest will require the clearing of a 300-foot boundary between the new development and the forest area to protect the developments from fire.  

(c) All areas with considerable amounts of underbrush and young trees will be burned in order to reduce the amount of fuel for a potential fire. Logging activities within the forest will be continued as long as loggers discard their waste. The Mountain developments will be permitted and there will be no boundary clearing necessary as long as developers and property owners have “adequate” fire insurance.