North 40 • AABC • Burlingame

Wildfire Risk Reduction Project

Project Overview

The Aspen Fire Protection District (AFPD), in partnership with the City of Aspen, Pitkin County, the U.S. Forest Service, Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES), Summit Forestry, Aspen Wildfire Foundation and other community partners, is conducting wildfire mitigation within the North 40, AABC, and Burlingame project area.

This project will reduce hazardous vegetation across approximately 50 acres of forested hillside immediately adjacent to these neighborhoods. Treatments are focused on creating a more resilient buffer between homes and surrounding vegetation while improving the community's ability to withstand future wildfires.

The project is part of AFPD's ongoing community-wide wildfire mitigation program designed to reduce wildfire risk throughout the Aspen area.

Why This Project Matters

The North 40, AABC, and Burlingame neighborhoods border a densely vegetated hillside where wildfire can spread rapidly under dry and windy conditions. Dense brush, ladder fuels, and overgrown vegetation can increase fire intensity and allow flames to move more quickly toward homes.

By strategically reducing hazardous vegetation, this project will:

• Protect homes and nearby neighborhoods
• Reduce wildfire intensity and fire spread
• Improve firefighter effectiveness during suppression operations
• Create a more resilient buffer between homes and surrounding vegetation
• Improve long-term forest health
• Reduce hazardous fuel accumulation

These treatments are designed to modify wildfire behavior—not eliminate wildfire—and provide firefighters with safer and more effective opportunities to protect lives and property.

Project Area

The treatment area encompasses approximately 50 acres of vegetated hillside located directly adjacent to the North 40, AABC, and Burlingame neighborhoods.

Treatments will primarily occur within the first 100 feet from occupied structures, where wildfire mitigation has the greatest benefit for structure protection.

Project Phases

Phase One — Vegetation Reduction

A 22-person Summit Forestry crew, working under the direction of Western Vegetation Management and Aspen Fire Protection District, will perform approximately 50% fuels reduction throughout the project area.

Work includes:

• Tree thinning
• Selective shrub reduction
• Removal of ladder fuels
• Vegetation management within the first 100 feet of occupied structures
• Construction of temporary brush piles

To minimize disturbance to the landscape, most cut material will be stacked into piles within the treatment area rather than dragged across the hillside. Shaded vegetation along established trails will generally remain intact where appropriate.

Phase Two — Pile Burning

Once vegetation work is complete, the brush piles will remain in place until weather conditions allow for safe disposal.

Pile burning will occur during late fall or winter when:

• Adequate snow cover or fuel moisture is present
• Atmospheric conditions provide good smoke dispersion
• Fire behavior can be safely managed
• Community impacts are minimized

These burns are carefully planned, monitored, and conducted only under favorable conditions by trained personnel.

What You May See

While work is underway, residents may notice:

• Chainsaw crews
• Tree thinning
• Brush and shrub removal
• Vegetation management equipment
• Temporary brush piles
• Removal and processing of woody material
• Helicopter operations (if needed)

Residents may also experience intermittent noise from chainsaws and equipment during normal working hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are crews cutting healthy trees?

The goal is not to clear the forest.

Crews selectively remove smaller trees, ladder fuels, and dense vegetation to improve spacing between remaining trees. This helps reduce wildfire intensity while maintaining a healthier forest.

Why are brush piles being left behind?

Brush piles are temporary.

They will be chipped, masticated, or burned during the fall and winter under carefully controlled conditions.

Will the area look clear-cut?

No.

The project uses selective thinning techniques that retain healthy trees while reducing hazardous fuels. The objective is to improve forest resilience—not remove the forest.

Will trails remain open?

Temporary trail closures may occur while crews are actively working overhead or using equipment.

Please obey all posted closures and signage for your safety.

How long will the project take?

Vegetation reduction is expected to occur over several weeks, with pile burning taking place later during appropriate fall or winter conditions.

Project Partners

This project is made possible through collaboration between:

• Aspen Fire Protection District
• Aspen Wildfire Foundation
• City of Aspen
• Pitkin County
• Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES)
• U.S. Forest Service
• Summit Forestry
• Western Vegetation Management