Tagged: U.S. Forest Service

A plan to manage some of Colorado’s most prized national forest lands is being billed as a national model for how states and the federal government can work together even amid the rancorous political climate.

The chief of the US Forest Service says he’s concerned about the imminent threat of major wildfires in the Colorado mountains where a dry and mild winter has left snow pack less than 40% of normal this Spring. 

Across the country, forecasts call for a long and dry fire season. Currently, only 11 civilian firefighting air tankers are in service with the US Forest Sevice, and those are nearing the end of their usable life. However, small groups of specially modified Air Force C-130’s are on standby and ready to deploy as needed across the country.