#breckenridge #colorado #realestate
It might feel like a night spent outside in the mountains isn’t complete without a campfire. There’s something about that mesmerizing, glowing orange flame that we humans love — but just because we love them, that doesn’t mean they’re always a good idea. Campfires take a toll on the environment, especially in our delicate Alpine ecosystems.
The past couple summers in Summit County have given us enough moisture that we’ve avoided the strict summertime fire bans we’ve become accustomed to in the West. Those restrictions are more common now because things are getting hotter and drier, and wildfires are becoming more dangerous for humans and our environment. So, of course, if there’s a fire ban in place, you should not be gathering kindling and lighting matches. But what about when fire danger lingers on the low end? There are still plenty of reasons to think twice before building a campfire, whether you’re car camping close to home or backpacking deep in the backcountry.
No matter where you build your fire, if it’s in a fire ring on the ground, it is inevitably going to leave a burn scar. Some places handle that impact better than others, like established campgrounds with designated fire rings. Other areas, like Alpine tundra, take a long time to recover from this damage. Some backcountry areas allow fires when a fire ban isn’t in place, while others — like protected watersheds and certain parts of designated wilderness areas — restrict them at all times.
Courtesy of Stasia StockwellRead the full story here
