Fire-killed trees at high risk of falling, forest experts say
Durango – Forestry officials are warning that dead trees left standing after a 70,000-acre wildfire nearly four years ago are in danger of toppling onto roads and trails, endangering drivers, hunters and others.
“These trees that are fire-killed and don’t have any needles are going to be falling over with a greater frequency,” U.S. Forest Service forester Mike Johnson said. “Our concerns are particularly where the fire got close to the roads and common-use areas.”
The 2002 Missionary Ridge fire destroyed 56 homes. One firefighter was killed when the roots of a burned tree gave way and the trunk fell on him.
That’s the danger now facing others, officials said.
“The most unstable species are those at the lower elevations of the burned area, where visitors or property are concentrated,” Forest Service supervisor Steve Hartvigsen wrote in a letter prepared at a resident’s request.
Forest Service officials said their research has shown that ponderosa pines fall 53 percent more than normal five years after a fire. Ponderosas line many roads in the Missionary Ridge fire area.
FORT COLLINS
Witnesses sought in beating of man
Police are seeking information about the beating of a man early Saturday, an attack that may have been racially motivated.
The incident happened at about 2:50 a.m. near Laurel and Whitcomb streets in Fort Collins. A black man told police he was walking home when a white man started talking to him. Then, a full-size, older-model van pulled up and three more white men got out and started attacking him, one of them yelling a racial epithet, he said.
The man suffered cuts to his face, among other injuries.
Police Lt. Jerry Schiager said Sunday that investigators are hoping witnesses will help police catch the suspects.
“It’s going to be difficult to progress without more information,” he said.
DENVER
Cold, windy weather may return today
Traditional winter weather is expected to return to the Front Range today as a storm system brings cold, windy conditions and some snow.
Windy, cold weather was predicted in the metro area overnight, with isolated snow showers and lows in the 20s. No widespread snow accumulation was expected.
The mountains will see a fair amount of snow, with 3 to 6 inches of accumulation from Leadville to the north and 7 to 14 inches falling in the south.
The storm should clear out today, but the cold, windy conditions will stick around. Highs will be in the mid-30s along the Front Range, but cool northwesterly winds will make it feel colder.
LARIMER COUNTY
Couple who skipped court held in Canada
A man and woman from Larimer County who failed to appear at a hearing Thursday on charges of assault to a peace officer were arrested by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police on Saturday, said Eloise Campanella of the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office.
A nationwide alert had been issued for Michael John Welch, 33, and Lori Romero, 36, after they failed to appear.
Their five-day trial was scheduled to begin Jan. 24. Welch also is charged with possession of a dangerous weapon. The charges stemmed from an incident at the Welch residence in Wellington on Nov. 2, 2004.
Welch and Romero are being held on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, awaiting extradition.
