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Healthy Fores ts, An Initiative for Wildfire Prevention and Stronger Communities
Changes in Forest Condition
The 1980 photo (from the same place) shows how the forest has changed dramatically since 1895. Over the years small trees have established into dense thickets. These fire-intolerant tree species now crowd the forest, pre-disposing the area to insect infestations, disease outbreaks, and catastrophic wildfires.
Bitterroot National Forest 1980
The 1980 photo (from the same place) shows how the forest has changed dramatically since 1895. Over the years small trees have established into dense thickets. These fire-intolerant tree species now crowd the forest, pre-disposing the area to insect infestations, disease outbreaks, and catastrophic wildfires.

 
The 1895 photo shows natural forest stand conditions that evolved from regularly occurring, low-intensity, surface burning. The forest was open and dominated by fire-tolerant, fire-adapted ponderosa pine.
The 1980 photo (from the same place) shows how the forest has changed dramatically since 1895. Over the years small trees have established into dense thickets. These fire-intolerant tree species now crowd the forest, pre-disposing the area to insect infestations, disease outbreaks, and catastrophic wildfires.
In this 2001 photo (again, from same place) no "forest" and only a few trees survived the severe fire. Note the beginning of erosion in the stream channel. (The house had been moved prior to the fire however, this is seldom an option for residents.)

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