Restoring Life to the Burn Scar: A Major Reseeding Effort in the Lake Christine Fire Area in Basalt, Colorado | Avant Garde Aspen Luxury Real Estate

Six years after the devastating Lake Christine Fire scorched over 12,500 acres of land in Colorado’s midvalley, a massive reseeding project is underway to help restore the forest to its former glory. This week, the White River National Forest began planting 79,000 seedlings across 270 acres of the burn scar, marking the first large-scale effort to rejuvenate this fire-affected landscape.

A Fire That Changed the Landscape

The 2018 Lake Christine Fire, sparked by illegal tracer rounds at the Basalt Shooting Range, burned thousands of acres of public and private land and destroyed three homes. While natural regeneration and smaller reseeding efforts have spurred some recovery over the years, high burn-severity areas have struggled to bounce back.

“Years ago, we didn’t really have that many fires on the White River,” said Sarah Pearson, the forest’s regeneration coordinator. “But now things have changed.”

The Reforestation Plan

This week’s planting includes:

• 46,000 Lodgepole pine seedlings.
• 33,000 Engelmann spruce seedlings.

The seedlings, grown at USDA Forest Service nurseries, were sourced from trees genetically adapted to the high elevations and harsh climate of the Aspen-Sopris and Eagle-Holy Cross ranger districts. They’ll be planted across elevations ranging from 9,600 to 10,200 feet, where they’ll have the best chance of survival.

How It’s Done

The process of planting is a meticulous and labor-intensive effort:

• A crew of 12 planters and a foreman, hired from Oregon-based Tovar’s Reforestation, works at a rate of 1,500 seedlings per hour.
• Using specialized tools, the crew clears spots, digs divots, plants the seedlings, and secures them with loose dirt.
• On the first day alone, the crew planted 17,000 saplings across 36 acres.

The $47,000 contract for this project is funded in part by the National Forest Foundation, which contributed $60,000toward seedling costs as part of its “50 Million for the Forest” campaign.

Challenges and Risks

The young seedlings face numerous threats, from harsh weather to hungry wildlife:

• Climate stress: Warm, dry conditions pose the biggest risk to the delicate trees.
• Grazing animals: While there’s currently no active grazing permit for the area, livestock could threaten new growth.
• Wildfire: Dead and downed trees remain in parts of the burn scar, potentially fueling future fires.

Still, the Forest Service is optimistic, aiming for a survival rate of 85% after three years. Pearson will monitor the seedlings’ progress over time, reporting data to the agency’s Washington, D.C., office.

The Bigger Picture

The reseeding effort is not just about restoring what was lost—it’s about adapting to a changing climate.

“There could unfortunately be some forest that burned up that now, with climate change, maybe they don’t want to be a forest anymore,” Pearson said. By planting trees genetically suited to the region, the Forest Service hopes to give the forest its best shot at survival in an unpredictable future.

What’s Next?

The work doesn’t stop here. An additional 60,000 Engelmann spruce seedlings are scheduled to be planted in spring 2025, continuing the push to restore the Lake Christine burn area.

A Community Effort

This project is a testament to the collaborative efforts of the Forest Service, nonprofit organizations like the National Forest Foundation, and dedicated workers like Abram Garduño and his team. As the forest begins its slow recovery, the scars of the past will eventually give way to new growth—symbolizing resilience in the face of adversity.

The future health of Basalt Mountain depends on efforts like these, ensuring that its forests can thrive once more and continue to provide beauty, recreation, and ecological benefits for generations to come.