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Nederland CFSY Closing Day: Saturday, Oct. 23
Meeker Park CFSY: Closed


For information on Inclement Weather (Snow), and Closings, call 303-678-6368.


October Edition Includes

  • Drought Update
  • Meeker Park CFSY Update ft. "Greener Pastures: Can Livestock Grazing be a Part of Fire Prevention and Restoration?"
  • Nederland CFSY Update ft. "Dwarf Mistletoe: A Colorado Native Parasitic Plant"
  • Safety in the Sort Yards
  • October Wildfire Preparation Checklist
  • The Home Ignition Zone
  • Wildfire Partners
  • Office of Emergency Management 
  • Noxious Weed of the Month: Myrtle Spurge 

Drought Update


Colorado drought conditions have slightly worsened since August. The map above depicts much more of the state in moderate drought with some increases in severe drought as well. However, some of this increase can be explained by a level of relief to areas previously impacted by extreme and exceptional drought. On the other hand, abnormally dry conditions and moderate drought have returned to much of the plains and front range. These areas felt relief earlier this year due to a hearty North American Monsoon, and despite the return of dry conditions, we're still in a much better place than last year when megafires steamrolled over our records. For the region at large, NOAA Forecaster Adam Hartman describes:
 
"Drought remains entrenched across much of the West, Northern Plains, and Upper Midwest. The West Coast and the Northern Rockies mainly saw deterioration over the summer months. Conversely, the Southwest has experienced marked improvements to drought conditions in the months leading up to the OND season due to a robust North American Monsoon. A transition into a wetter time of year for much of the West, coupled with the potential onset of La Niña later in the period, increases chances for improving drought conditions across the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies. High soil moisture at the start of the period across portions of the Four Corners Region should help to stave off further drought redevelopment across Arizona, despite the potential late onset of La Niña during the period, which could project a warmer, drier signal across the region. The Great Plains and Midwest have been a battleground of sorts since the September-November release of the Seasonal Drought Outlook, with mixed drought improvement and deterioration. Conversely to the Western Region, the Great Plains are entering into a climatologically drier time of year. Given ongoing drought in the Northern Plains, drought persistence is favored north of central Nebraska."

Meeker Park CFSY Update

By Jon Clark
It's that time of year when the Autumn colors start to fall and one jacket might not keep you warm everyday. Accordingly, the Meeker Park Community Forestry Sort Yard counted its last days of the season. Saturday, Oct. 16 was our final operational day for 2021. It's been a privilege working with this community all summer, and it makes me smile that so many of you are such kind and passionate stewards for this land. Have a good winter!

We operated for a full 18 days in September, and the yard looks full once again. In fact, our average daily volume intake is up 96% from last year's numbers. More than doubling last September's volume, we received 61,929 cubic feet of material - over 15,000 cubic feet more than our intake for August as well. We can see that this year's monthly load counts have stayed relatively stable from month to month, but the amount of material has increased every month since the season began, indicating more serious mitigation efforts brought in by trucks and trailers with larger payloads.

As always, it should be known that these numbers are based on human visual estimates from each load. A few cubic feet off here or there can add up significantly, so we tend to learn more from the macro trends.

Our usage by load count increased in September to 883 total loads over the course of 18 operating days, giving us an average of about 49 loads a day with a mean intake of about 3,440 cubic feet per day. This is only marginally lower than August, which clocked an average of 50 loads per day, but with 1,413 cubic feet per day. Our intake volume increased dramatically in September due to a series of large loads of wood chips.


This is what we see from September:
  • Our monthly load counts have been within the 800-900 range for the last 3 months, but they don't present a marked difference from last year's trends.
  • Our usage has slightly decreased in terms of how many loads have come in since last month.
  • Our daily average intake volume increased by 96 percent compared to last August.
  • Slash (31,705 cubic feet, +64%) and wood chips (22,080 cubic feet, +1030%) are the largest contributors to our daily averages, but needles, cones, grass, and other material decreased compared to last September.
  • Fire prevention is still the overwhelming reason that our users remove material from their properties, but noxious weed management and safety/home/roads changes have become more common since the beginning of the year.
Announcements
The Meeker Park CFSY closed on Saturday, Oct. 16. However, if you still have fire mitigation to do, you don't have to throw in the towel yet! The Nederland CFSY will be open until Oct. 23, and we hope to see you there! 

As we welcome colder weather and noticeably shorter days, remember that wildfires can begin and rage at any time of year. Various parts of Colorado are still experiencing red flag days, and drought hasn't loosened its grip for much of the state. Keep an eye on the fire weather like you always would, and remember to check local fire restrictions before lighting bonfires.

Check back in with our newsletter and our website (boco.org/sortyard) for information on next year's opening dates and changes! We should be back in operation around mid-May, but we haven't put anything on the calendar, yet.

Greener Pastures: Can Livestock Grazing be a Part of Fire Prevention and Restoration?

By Jon Clark
As we examine the role of livestock in a quickly changing culture, it can seem like we often frame grazing as a burden to the land and a source of potent greenhouse gases. However, the Colorado plains and high county adapted to animal grazing over the course of millions of years of diverse megafauna. If 60 to 75 million bison used to fill a large portion of this role just 150 years ago, why are we concerned about livestock a fraction of their size in areas abundant with vegetation [1]?


How Do Livestock Interact with their Pastures?


Carrying capacity is a term you may have heard before in the context of agriculture, ecology, or even in your high school human geography class. The Steinbrenner Institute for Environmental Education and Research defines carrying capacity  as "the population of organisms that can be sustained at a steady state considering the resources available in the ecosystem in which they reside" [2]. Another way to think about this is that for all of the impacts and waste generated by life, natural processes can recycle and repurpose all of it for future generations.

For our collection of diverse ecosystems, there are big differences in carrying capacity form region to region. Before we commercialized animal grazing, there was a certain number of roaming herbivores (like deer, elk, bison and moose) that would graze through the understory. The concern of overgrazing and ineffective resource management arose as more sedentary livestock would indiscriminately overreach the limits of their pastures' carrying capacity, leaving unhealthy soil and releasing methane (a greenhouse gas 4 times as potent as carbon dioxide).

With careful consideration for the available resources and their regeneration,  livestock herders can promote a healthy relationship with the land. Large herbivores have historically grazed with natural predators herding and chasing them, but commercial and private ranches alike face the challenge of guiding their animals to the pastures that need grazing. Ideally, they rotate between different grazing pastures, allowing livestock to eat dry grasses and even noxious weeds in a practice called "rotational grazing" [1].
Although often temporary, managing small acreage pastures during and after drought conditions can be done responsibly. The Colorado State University Extension provides advice and best practices here.

What Does This Mean for Fire Prevention and Restoration?


When we practice responsible animal grazing, the relationship between the land and the herds is mutually beneficial. Of course this helps the agricultural industry preserve their pastures, but it also means soil becomes more resilient, native plants are more abundant, and wildfire ecology starts to look more like just another natural process.

Beyond healthy land, some herders even train their animals for the explicit purpose of wildfire mitigation. According to a video released by Science Friday, so called "elite" goats in California aren't necessarily grazers, but their hardy biology, agile frames, low-nitrate waste production (aka urine), and exceptionally low cost make them a smart choice for fuels reduction efforts, especially in fragile or hard-to-reach areas with many noxious weeds [3]. They've become so popular that there aren't enough trained goats and herders to fit the demand in Southern California. This includes fire departments that recognize their usefulness.

Different animals have different benefits, so you could also count on cows to regenerate nutrient-rich soil layers in overgrown, nitrogen poor soil. As a heavier animal, their herds effectively churn manure with dirt, and modern technologies like electric fencing have made effective herding much more precise. This can allow growing pastures to fully regenerate, promoting native plant regrowth and resilience [1]. Unlike goats, cattle are also abundant through the West. Their grazing dramatically reduces both fine fuels (which can help limit them to 800 pounds per acre, the threshold for keeping wildland flames under 4 feet tall), and brush or timber encroachment onto grasslands [4]
The West is home to a great variety of different climates with different vegetation in each. Naturally, the fuels change from place to place as well, and you don't have to go far in Colorado to see the change from annual and perennial grasses to Western pines and short-needle fuel types. From the U.S. Forest Service's Wildland Fire Assessment System (WFAS) and National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS).

The Final Breakdown


Responsible grazing like this exhibits a positive impact on a region's fire ecology, reducing fuels and recycling nutrients for more resilient soils. However, it's no silver bullet against the destructive canopy fires that dominate headlines.
 
For better or worse, grazing primarily impacts brush and grasses. At the front of a raging megafire charging through trees killed by beetles, disease, parasites, or drought, reducing the finer fuels won't make much of a difference. On the other hand, the resilience of one part of an ecosystem can reinforce its other parts as well. If trees have better access to resources and better nutrient cycling in the understory, they might stave off what could otherwise kill them. If fine fuels are reduced from large clumps of dry weeds to intermittent native plants, the beginning of a small human-caused or lightning-caused wildfire might burn out at a lower intensity before a serious blaze can emerge.

Animal grazing is also limited by the number of ranchers, herders, and animals capable of providing this service. Like the California goats, not all animals are used to foraging through the brush. In order to make the best use of this strategy, we have to be intentional about which areas would benefit the most. It may be cheaper, more selective, and more gentle to the environment than machines, but animal grazing makes the best sense in combination with other practices that promote the return of a healthy fire ecology.

For agricultural resources on pasture and grazing management, soil and fertility, reseeding, poisonous plants, and noxious weeds in Boulder County, check out the links on the Colorado State University Extension here [5].

Sources
[1] When Cows Move, They Can Help Fight Climate Change and Repair Soil. Virtual Fencing Can Help Ranchers Guide Where They Graze - Colorado Public Radio News
[2] US Environmental Carrying Capacity - The Steinbrenner Institute for Environmental Education and Research, Carnegie Mellon University
[3] The Goat Brigade: Preventing Wildfires in Southern California - Science Friday
[4] Benefits of Cattle Grazing for Reducing Fire Fuels and Hazard - University of California Berkeley College of Natural Resources News
[5] Pasture Management - Boulder County Colorado State University Extension

Nederland CFSY Update  
By Dan Buelow  

Last Day of Operation at the Nederland CFSY is Saturday, October 23. 

The Nederland CFSY was open for 18 days of operation in September. Our total load count for the month was 721 loads for an average of 40 loads per day. This total load count was 153 loads fewer than the total we received in Sept. 2020, an 18 percent decrease; however, the total was 10 loads more than the 711 loads we received in August 2021. We may have been busier load count wise in September than in August this year, but our average daily load counts were down by four loads per day this month and we were down eleven loads per day from Sept. 2020. Our busiest load day of the month was Saturday, Sept. 11 when we received 56 loads. A trend this year has been that Saturdays are our busiest day of the week, and this was once again true in September. 

We recorded 27,594 total cubic feet (CF) of material volume received at the Nederland CFSY in September. This volume amount was 2,894 CF more than we recorded in the previous month in August. However, it was 6,318 CF less than the same month in Sept. 2020. Looking at each specific material type, we received less of each material in Sept. 2021 than we did in Sept. 2020 except for weeds, leaves and grasses. The abundant moisture we received in spring and early summer this year is still having increasing effects on weed and grass materials brought to the yard this late season.     

September weather was seasonal at the Nederland CFSY. Other than the wet start to the month and the wet, foggy, and humid end to the month, we did not experience any moisture at the yard during operation throughout the middle of September. Just a year ago, we had measurable snow in early and mid-September, but not this year. The high country has seen multiple snow events in 2021 beginning in late August; however, we have not seen the snow fly at lower elevations just yet. We have experienced a few frosts and freezes in many locations in western Boulder county. As a helpful reminder, drain all water from your hoses outside and prep your outdoor faucets for freezing nighttime temperatures. This prevents damages and ensures water accessibility and full water operation in the event of an emergency requiring water outside. Thankfully no wildfires occurred in Boulder county in September. Several wildfires continue to burn other locations in Colorado. The most recent new fire ignition is the Ptarmigan Fire, which began in Summit County near Silverthorne on Sept. 27. 

The fall equinox and official start to Autumn occurred on Wednesday, Sept. 22. Cooler temperatures appear to be here to stay, and the aspen leaves are changing colors. The Town of Nederland became a busy place of hustle and bustle on Friday, Sept. 24 and Saturday, Sept. 25. All major roadways through and around town, including the Peak to Peak Highway and Boulder Canyon, became highly congested with visitors that have come to observe the Fall foliage change. Travel difficulties were commented on by multiple users bringing materials to the yard who voiced their frustrations and challenges in navigating the traffic jams and long travel time to reach the yard. Undoubtedly, the slow moving traffic kept some users from making a return trip to the yard on those two days.  

Dwarf Mistletoe: A Colorado Native Parasitic Plant
By Dan Buelow  


Dwarf Mistletoe.
© Forestpathology.org [1].

Colorado is home to five native plant species of dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium spp.). These small, leafless, flowering and seed producing parasitic plants infest and cause significant damage, even death, to select native western conifers including lodgepole pine, ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, limber pine, bristlecone pine and piñon pine. Nationally and economically speaking, dwarf mistletoe is responsible for an estimated loss of 3.3 billion board feet of timber production in the United States each year, or roughly enough wood to build over 1 million small three bedroom houses [2]. Locally, dwarf mistletoe is a significant problem in lodgepole pine and ponderosa pine. The Colorado State Forest Service concluded in their "2010 Forest Health Report" that dwarf mistletoe at the time had infected roughly fifty percent of all lodgepole pine trees in the state and that dwarf mistletoe infestations in lodgepole cause an eighty-ninety percent reduction in tree growth in infected trees [3].

Dwarf mistletoe in Colorado's Forests. CSFS 2010 Forest Health Report [3].

Damages 

Tree damages caused by dwarf mistletoe include: 

  • Tree and branch decline, dieback and mortality. 
  • Increased susceptibility and mortality due to other forest pests including insects (e.g., bark beetles) and diseases. 
  • Dead tree tops and branches. 
  • Growth defects including stem swellings, cankers, witches' brooms and other deformities. 
  • Reduced production and viability of seed. 
  • Reduced timber quality, value and production. 
  • Increased fire risk due to abnormal growths including witches' brooms.  

Being a plant parasite, dwarf mistletoe’s existence depends completely upon living in and on another living plant host. Dwarf mistletoe causes damage and survives by extracting nutrients and water from a host as it grows into a host’s phloem and xylem tissues (sugar and water-moving vascular tissues). In Colorado, where drought and lack of moisture are key limiting factors to plant life and sustainability, dwarf mistletoe’s high water usage rate may be its most damaging trait. It is estimated that dwarf mistletoe shoots and fruits transpire far more water, as much as 60-fold, than do host tissues during periods of drought when the host limits water use [2].   

Dwarf mistletoe’s impact on its' host, stand, and ecosystem through the long haul, both positive and negative, is detailed below in a figure from the environmental research letter titled "Mistletoe, Friend and Foe: Synthesizing Ecosystem Implications of Mistletoe Infection” written by Anne Griebel, et al [4]

[4].


Life Cycle, Signs, and Symptoms 

Dwarf mistletoe has a long life cycle typically ranging from six to eight years. Signs and symptoms of infection are often observed for the first time many years following initial infection. 

Dwarf mistletoe reproduction and spread occurs via seed. Generally, dwarf mistletoe is a localized infection. For successful movement and new infestation, mature seed must be dispersed to a new host or uninfected tissue. Interestingly, during reproduction seed dispersal occurs as a violent pressurized discharge of a mature seed from a female dwarf mistletoe plant shoot in late summer to early fall. The seed discharges at an initial speed of 60 mph and at a 30 degree angle, propelling the seed a maximum distance upward and outward from the parasite shoot. These seeds may travel horizontally up to 30 feet from the host depending upon location of the parasite in the host tree [2]

Below is a figure by W. Jacobi outlining the lodgepole pine dwarf mistletoe's life cycle with years identified in center for timing to develop each life stage [2]



Signs of mistletoe infection include:

  • Aerial shoots (produced 3-5 years after infection with shoots producing several crops of flowers before abscising)
  • Basal cups (located at site where previous aerial shoots abscised) [2]

Sign: Female lodgepole pine dwarf mistletoe plant with immature fruit and
basal cups left behind where old shoots had fallen off.
Photo: Brian Howell, USDAForest Service [5]

Symptoms of dwarf mistletoe infection include:
  • Swelling of branch or stem where initial infection occurred
  • Witches' broom (dense mass of profuse and distorted branches that may form in response to infection several years after initial infection. This growth is a nutrient sink that captures carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium from host)
  • Tree top or branch death
            
Lodgepole pine dwarf mistletoe witches broom [6].                  Ponderosa pine dwarf mistletoe [2].


Determining Severity of Infection 
The Hawkworth (1977) 6-class dwarf mistletoe (DMR) rating system is used to determine the severity of the infection and to help identify if there exists a need for management. This DMR system is based on assessing the percentage of infected branches in each third of the live crown of an infected tree. DMR range from 0 for a visibly uninfected tree up to a rating of 6 for a tree exhibiting infection in at least fifty percent of all branch infected in each third of the living infected crown. Below is a figure with explanation of how to rate a tree's and stand's dwarf mistletoe infection severity: 

[2]

Management of Dwarf Mistletoe 

Best dwarf mistletoe management practices include: 

  • Prune and remove infected trees and branches to reduce or eliminate dwarf mistletoe infestations. Trees receiving a DMR greater than 3, particularly a DMR of 5-6, the best management practice may be to physically remove entire tree. For trees receiving a DMR 1-3 the best management practice may be to prune off infected limbs, monitor the host tree, and surround susceptible trees of the same species in case new symptoms and signs develop. Once the infected host material is cut or dies, the dwarf mistletoe dies as well. On a stand level or landscape with monoculture of infected single tree species, keep in mind that when average stand DMR reaches about 2, over 80 percent of trees are probably infected and fewer choices may exist for retaining trees with good potential for growth and long-term survival [2]

  • Plant resistant trees under and near infected ones to replenish the forest after infected ones are removed or if infected residual trees remain on site. Remember that seed dispersal occurs from any infected tissue with seed producing female shoots. Infection high in the canopy may rain down seed onto susceptible hosts and regeneration below for decades and perpetuate dwarf mistletoe infection and populations. Provide adequate spacing (min. of fifty to sixty feet) of same species trees away from infected hosts. 

  • If planting or keeping the same species as the infected tree in the landscape, use approved sprays to reduce the risk of infestation. Always carefully read and follow all label instructions before applying insecticides. Chemical applications of ethephon sprays may be made to abscise aerial shoots from the tree by removing flowering and fruiting structures; however, these sprays only effectively remove shoots for a short period of time and do not kill the dwarf mistletoe parasite completely [6]

  • Prescribed fire may reduce and eliminate dwarf mistletoe populations. Residual trees with infection, and even those residual trees that may be infected but do not display visible infection, must be monitored and treated accordingly as these serve as inoculum source for regeneration. 

Literature Cited:  

[1] Dwarf Mistletoe. Picture. Accessed 13 October 2021. https://forestpathology.org/parasitic-plants/dwarf-mistletoe/

[2] Worrall, J. and Geils, B. (2006). Dwarf Mistletoes. The Plant Health Instructor. DOI: 10.1094/PHI-I-2006-1117-01. Accessed 2 October 2021.  https://www.apsnet.org/edcenter/disandpath/parasiticplants/pdlessons/Pages/Dwarfmistletoes.aspx 

[3] Colorado State Forest Service. (2010). 2010 Report on the Health of Colorado’s Forests. Accessed 2 October 2021. https://static.colostate.edu/client-files/csfs/pdfs/FINAL_2010_Forest_Health_Report_www.pdf 

[4] Griebel, A. et al. (2017). Environ. Res. Lett. 12 115012. Accessed 2 October 2021. https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/aa8fff 

[5] Howell, B. USDA Forest Service. Dwarf Mistletoe Female. Picture. Accessed 2 October 2021. https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5299331.pdf 

[6] Koski, R.D. et al. (02/1999. Revised 12/2013). "Mistletoes in Colorado Conifers." Accessed 2 October 2021. https://extension.colostate.edu/docs/pubs/garden/02925.pdf

Safety in the Sort Yards

Hypothermia & Frost Bite


Snow sightings are no longer confined to the high peaks of Colorado. Ski resorts are starting to open, jackets are coming out of storage, and cold-related illnesses like hypothermia and frostbite could make an appearance if you work or recreate outdoors through the Winter.

Frostbite
Frostbite occurs when skin and tissue freeze. It usually occurs on extremities like the hands, feet, and face, but pay attention to anywhere that may be exposed to the cold. Skin might feel numb, tingling, stinging or aching, adopt a white or blue color, and have a waxy texture. Without treatment, it can be permanent and lead to loss of limb. Here are some suggested precautions to limit your chances:
  • Stay hydrated and alert.
  • Dress appropriately for the weather (will there be a wind chill? Could you get wet?).
  • Carry an extra layer or emergency blanket.
  • Avoid touching metal surfaces or running water with bare hands.
  • Periodically check for loss of feeling.
  • Do exercises that increase blood flow to your extremities.
  • Don't get caught outside at night unprepared.

Hypothermia
Hypothermia can happen when our bodies lose heat faster than they generate heat, causing a drop in internal temperature. Over short amounts of time (sometimes just minutes), it can progress to serious illness and death. It can be recognized early with cognitive impairments like confusion, disorientation, loss of coordination and fatigue after exposure to extreme cold (i.e. falling in a frozen lake or getting caught in a blizzard), but the impacts can vary considerably. As it progresses, shivering could stop, you might notice bluish skin, and eventually someone hypothermic will lose consciousness. If you or someone in your group starts acting strange in the cold, get them to warmth. If someone loses consciousness, breathing, or has no heartbeat, call 911 and provide first to the best of your ability/training. If you'd rather it not get to that point, keep these suggestions in mind:
  • Stay hydrated and alert.
  • Dress appropriately for the weather.
  • Carry an extra layer or emergency blanket.
  • Keep an emergency kit in your car or in your bag with water, blankets, and warmers.
  • Don't walk on ice if you don't know its thickness.
  • Refresh yourself on the symptoms and treatment for hypothermia.
For more information on these and other cold-related illnesses, including first-aid treatments for hypothermia, visit the article below or click here.

Source:
NIOSH [2019]. Preventing cold-related illness, injury, and death among workers. By Jacklitsch B, Ceballos D. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2019-113, DOI: https://doi.org/10.26616/ NIOSHPUB2019113.

October Wildfire Preparation Checklist


Below are some fire mitigation maintenance reminders and tips to help establish and keep a strong defensible space around your home in your Home Ignition Zones (HIZ):  

  • Clear all vegetation out of HIZ 1 by removing all pine needles, wood chips, grasses, shrubs and weeds within 5 feet of structures.  
  • Keep grasses mowed or trimmed to 6” tall or less.  
  • Move all firewood and outdoor combustible fuels (propane cannisters, gasoline containers, etc.) at least 30 feet from the house (beyond HIZ 2).  
  • Screen all attic, roof, soffit and foundation vents with 1/8 in. metal screening.  
  • Screen or box-in areas below patios and decks with 1/8 in. metal screening to keep flammable materials from accumulating underneath. 
  • Remove organic matter that has accumulated on your vehicles and roofs.  
  • Take pictures of your landscape as reminder for which areas need continued monitoring or mitigation work over the winter and next spring.  
  • Sign-up your primary phone and cell phone for emergency 911. Sign-up at https://www.boulderoem.com/.  
  • Install a property address marker with white reflective lettering on a non-flammable post at the edge of your driveway.  
  • Familiarize yourself with the new CSFS Home Ignition Guide 2021.  
  • Develop or review your wildfire emergency action and evacuation plans.  
  • Check your county wildfire portal for information on fire bans and red flag status.  

Please remember that the HIZ are the minimum distance for your d-space. You can also expand these zones, especially if the slope below your structure is greater than 20%.    

National Weather Service Fire Weather Forecast
Boulder County Fire Restrictions
Larimer County Fire Restrictions
Gilpin County Fire Restrictions
Jefferson County Fire Restrictions

Are you prepared? Change the fire's behavior, and you could change the fire's impact.

 

Tip: Most home ignitions begin with embers that get caught in small corners, eaves, and areas where they could smolder for long periods of time. Hardening your home includes identifying these weaknesses, protecting them with an appropriate strategy, and cleaning out flammable debris periodically.

 

Wildfire Partners 

Could your home survive a wildfire? Don’t miss out! Wildfire Partners is offering free assessments through a special grant with FEMA. Apply today and find out what actions you can take to protect your home.

Leslie Brodhead
Wildfire Partners Program Specialist
303-441-1420
lbrodhead@bouldercounty.org
www.wildfirepartners.org 
Apply Now

Office of Emergency Management

If you have not already sign up for emergency notification. Click on the link below to get signed up. 
Sign up for Emergency Notifications

Noxious Weed of the Month: Myrtle Spurge (Euphorbia myrsinites)  

[1] [1] [2] 

  • Colorado List A Noxious Weed Species
  • Perennial  
  • Escaped ornamental from Eurasia 
  • 8-12 inches tall and 12-18 inches wide 
  • Leaves alternate, fleshy, waxy and blue-green in coloration.    
  • Flowers are yellow-green petal like bracts. 
  • Flowering occurs March to May.  
  • Reproduction occurs via seed.  
  • One flower head may produce up to 200 seeds. 
  • Plants are capable of projecting seeds up to 15 feet.  
  • Seeds remain viable to 8 years.  
  • Contains toxic, milky sap that may cause severe skin irritations, including blistering. 
  • All plant parts are poisonous if ingested [3].  

Learn more about Myrtle Spurge [3].  

  

Literature Cited:  

[1] Boulder County. (2017). Noxious Weed List. Accessed 30 September 2021. https://assets.bouldercounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/weed-list.pdf  

[2] Berta-Thompson, J. (30 August 2018). Watch Out for These Weeds. Myrtle Spurge Picture. Boulder County Parks and Opens Space. Accessed 30 September 2021. https://bouldercountyopenspace.org/i/land-management/watch-out-for-these-weeds/  

[3] Colorado Department of Agriculture. (July 2015). Myrtle Spurge. Accessed 30 September 2021. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RnaP62PJCsI_Y9OrBNoYTyYnftQWMgeu/view 


In the following months, we will have information on noxious weeds that you should be aware of as the year progresses. Learn more at Boulder County Noxious Weeds & Invasive Species Management

Thank you for reading!

The next newsletter will be sent out in mid-November.

Jon Clark
Meeker Park CFSY Operator

Dan Buelow
Nederland CFSY Operator

Wayne Harrington
Sort Yard Coordinator

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