In June of 2002 a devastating fire happened in the forests near Denver, Colorado. A five-year period of below-normal precipitation and unseasonably dry air; absence of fire in the area during the previous 100 years; high, gusty winds; low precipitation; and human carelessness collided to create Colorado’s largest and most impactful fire.
For 20 days, the Hayman Fire raged through the Pike National Forest, as well as state, county and private lands, burning a total of 137,760 acres. In its wake, the fire consumed 600 structures, including 133 homes, jeopardized habitat for numerous threatened or endangered species, and severely impacted the water source for more than 75% of Colorado’s 4.3 million residents and states downstream.
Vail Resorts has joined with the National Forest Foundation and the United States Forest Service on the Hayman Restoration Project to help bring back the areas destroyed by the Hayman fire. The effort will include riparian restoration to help reduce sediment loads, enhancement and relocation of trails, reforestation, noxious weed eradication, native plant and wildlife habitat restoration, and climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.
| As the private funding catalyst for the restoration project, Vail Resorts has pledged $750,000 and 1,500 employee volunteer hours over the next three years. The total area covered by the restoration project exceeds 115,000 acres with the majority taking place on 45,000 acres most affected by the fire. The goal is to complete the project by 2012, the 10th anniversary of the Hayman fire, with the objective of planting more than 200,000 Ponderosa pine, Douglas fir and other native trees on over 1,700 acres and additional native vegetation on 115 acres and across 13 miles. Through the project, jobs have been created for Colorado youth, and communities have been engaged through volunteer opportunities. |  105 people took part in Hayman Day 2011 |
Volunter slots for the 2012 Hayman projects filled up in record time. Check back in July for project results and sign up early next year!
