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Resident criticizes 'clear-cutting' in county parks; commissioners, wildfire commission describe targeted mitigation
Summary
A resident told Jefferson County commissioners that clear-cutting in open space harms trails, water and fire resilience. Commissioners said open-space vegetation management is targeted to reduce wildfire risk and the county is coordinating multiple strategies including home hardening, defensible space and prescribed burns.
Elaine Morse of Evergreen told the Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 28 that clear-cutting in open-space areas is damaging trail aesthetics, causes erosion and, she said, can worsen wildfire behavior. Morse cited the book Smoke Screen by Chad Hanson and characterized some mitigation work as “bad science.”
Commission response and context - Morse said clear cutting reduces soil moisture, increases wind speed through areas and spreads invasive species; she urged the county to stop the…
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