Heil Fire Update

November 23, 2020 Update:

Boulder County Parks & Open Space (BCPOS) gave another update on Heil Valley Ranch at the November 19 POSAC Meeting. Some highlights:

BCPOS is developing a recovery plan and looking for funding.
Soil erosion is a huge concern. The most severe fire damage is above the Greer drainage. Erosion can cause landslides or contaminate the water supply.
Recovery will involve re-seeding and mulch dropping.
Much of the recovery work will be happening in Spring 2021
BCPOS is considering the request to open Picture Rock trail as far as deemed safe.

Watch Resource Management Manager Therese Glowacki’s 10 minute update to POSAC.

November 2, 2020 Update: Image gallery updated with new photos from Wapiti, Ponderosa Loop and Lichen Loop

At the Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020 Parks & Open Space Advisory Committee (POSAC) meeting, Boulder County Parks & Open Space Director (BCPOS) Director Eric Lane and Senior Forestry Resource Specialist Stefan Reinold gave a great update on their initial look at fire impacts to Heil Valley Ranch.

Some highlights:

No impacts to Corral Trailhead area/infrastructure. Fire retardant air drops provided great protection of the Corral area and Altona Schoolhouse and infrastructure.
Limited impact to upper trailhead area (1 bridge destroyed, 1 bridge damaged, some trees were damaged and will die).
Resident Ranger Grady’s house is fine, no damage. Historic barn and cabin also survived. Wildfire mitigation work and good maintenance were factors.
Low overall impact to trees in many areas where past wildfire mitigation and forest treatment and prescribed fire work occurred.
Areas of high fire impact, mainly on the western and more dense forest areas. Heavy or compete tree loss in places, high heat burn in places.
Post-fire soil erosion will be a concern in places.
Big log pile from the forest thinning that was to be used as biomass is gone.
No mention of trail impacts.
The losses could have been much worse.
The deer are fine!!! The turkeys are fine!!!

BMA is committed to helping our partner BCPOS with the re-opening of Heil. Sign up here for email alerts for volunteer opportunities.