Casper meeting offers Cole Creek area landowners fire recovery information
A post-fire landscape recovery seminar in Casper hosted by University of Wyoming Extension provides resources for those affected by the Cole Creek Fire in early October.
The event is 5-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, at the Agricultural Resource and Learning Center, 2011 Fairgrounds Rd.
There is no cost, but pre-registration at 307-235-9400 is required by Nov. 18. Refreshments will be served.
Land management experts will make brief presentations and answer questions about programs and resources for wildfire recovery, said Scott Cotton, UW Extension educator in Natrona County and who is the Wyoming contact for the national Extension Disaster Education Network.
His experience includes seven community post-fire incidents, and he said recovery requires sound information and strong community relations.
Cotton said landowner questions have included how to graze after a fire, how soon is grass going to return, what can be planted to keep fire from coming up to a house and what cost-share might be available.
This seminar brings together a team to answer these and other questions, he said. Topics include:
Determining plant burn severity and understanding recovery, Cotton
Controlling cheatgrass, weeds to expect and weed programs, Brian Connelly, director, Natrona County Weed and Pest District
USDA programs for landowners, Deena McDaniels, Wyoming Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service
Rethinking a landscape – waterwise and firewise plants, Donna Hoffman, Natrona County extension horticulture educator
Determining a grazing approach after wildfire, Ashley Garrelts, UW Extension area sustainable range educator
What to expect from wind and water erosion, Lisa Ogden, director of Natrona County Conservation District
Firewise building recommendations.
More information that could help landowners and homeowners before, during and after wildfires is available from UW Extension.
Information at http://bit.ly/wildfirewise includes a 48-page guide “Living with Wildfire in Wyoming” that can be viewed or downloaded. Topics include creating defensible space around a property, animal evacuation plans, homeowner or business insurance checkup, firewise landscaping, reducing wildfire risks and more.
For more information or to register for the seminar, contact Cotton at 307-235-9400 or scotton1@uwyo.edu.
