The Forest Task Health Force will explore the implications of a radically changed environment at their meeting tonight.

“Now that the needles have fallen off the beetle-killed lodgepole pines, some research tells us that we are lower risk of wildfires,” said Forest Task Health Force member Brad Piehl. “But, there have been several high elevation wildfires last year and this year that might indicate that high elevation wildfires will not be as rare as we have previously thought.”

Local experts will explain why they are concerned about wildfires in Summit County, and contemplate what Summit County might look like after a major wildfire.

“We will look at some of the impacts from the recent Colorado wildfires on forests, streams, wildlife, as well as homes and infrastructure,” Piehl said.

Summit County’s director for emergency management Joel Cochran will also offer his perspective on community hazards, and discuss progress made from the county’s recent hazard assessment.

The meeting will take place tonight at 7 p.m. at the Frisco Community Center on 3rd and Granite.