WSP10623

• File Number: 8507
• Description: Rio Grande Project
• State: CO
• Basin: Rio Grande
• Date: 7/1/1994
• Title: Rio Grande National Forest Analysis of the Management Situation part 2
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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Appendix C

fire to free the area of underbrush prior to lambing (RGNF 1953). Ranchers were also known to set fires
to keep their cattle away from larkspur which is poisonous (Agee 1924).

Fires associated with railroad activity is also noted. The Osier Mountain fire, burning about 30,000 acres
on the Conejos Peak Ranger District, was probably started by railroad crews in 1879 (RGNF 1970, RGNF
1953). The large fire on Marshall Pass, near the north end of the Saguache Ranger District on the San
Isabel National Forest, was started in 1882 shortly after the building of the Denver and Rio Grande
Railroad (Agee 1924). Miners were viewed to have set many of the fires in this area especially during
1893, the year of the silver panic, when many miners were leaving Colorado (Agee 1924).

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Annual Precipitation

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Inch.s

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15

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1850 1860 1870 1880 18iO liOO litO li20 li30 1'40 li50

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Figure C-1. Annual Precipitation

FIRE SUPPRESSION

According to information reviewed, fires were generally allowed to burn except when they were small .
or threatened private land (Agee 1924). There were isolated instances noted where forest fires were
fought (RGNF 1926), but this was not the rule. It was indicated that when the RGNF was established in
1908 the emphasis was put on controlling forest fires (RGNF 1968).

REVEGETATION OF BURNED STANDS

Information reviewed reveals that restocking of bums was very slow. Large grassy areas often are found
within areas of bumed Engelmann spruce (RGNF 1908). High-altitude burns are very slow in restock.ing

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C-2

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