DENVER-
The House approved and sent to the Senate on Tuesday a measure to help prevent wildfires in forests ravaged by bark beetles.
The measure (House Bill 1130) would set aside $1 million for a pilot program to help communities mitigate damage caused by the bark beetle epidemic.
Trees damaged or killed by the beetles are especially vulnerable to fire.
Projects would be in areas that have an approved community wildfire protection plan and would focus on protecting water supplies from the erosion that becomes more common after fires.
“This bill is a great preventative move for the state because wildfires represent such a huge threat to our state’s residents, watersheds, wildlife, and our budget,” said Rep. Dan Gibbs, D-Silverthorne.
Money for the program would come from the Water Conservation Board.
