After dealing with an overwhelming pine beetle blight for the past few years, Colorado residents now face what, so far, is a devastating fire season. A modest winter snowpack, combined with a dry spring, has set the stage for lightening and human-induced forest fires. In addition, the presence of so many dead pine trees will surely exacerbate that threat.
Our human-centric view of nature often leads to false conclusions about man's role in the occurrence of "natural disasters." Many are quick to blame fire-suppression policies for both the beetle blight and the wildfires while others see the hand of God, a biblical punishment for the ills of human society . But natural wildfires play a vital role in the maintenance of forest ecosystems, clearing out dead wood, opening the canopy and allowing the seeds of certain trees (lodgepole pines, for example) to germinate. In like manner, pine bark beetles attack stressed or diseased trees and their massive infestations, which probably occur every century or so, restore forests with a diverse assembly of young, healthy trees. While it is an unwelcome sight for residents and tourists, the remnant landscape of dead or burned trees is a necessary stage in the life of a forest; unfortunately, when viewed from the perspective of our brief human life span, it appears all too permanent.
Aspen trees, which spread by suckering and take advantage of clearings in the coniferous forests, will likely be the primary beneficiaries of these "disasters" in the short run. Humans who chose to reside in western forests are among the primary victims, losing pristine scenery if not their homes. Like those who live on barrier islands or along river floodplains, they were taking a chance; most will be philosophical, acknowledging the risk that comes with living in the Colorado mountains and respecting the natural forces that, over the centuries, mold our landscape.
