In the Blackfoot, we live in a fire-adapted ecosystem. Historically, fires burned through lower elevation forests approximately every 10 to 40 years. These low-intensity fires typically killed only small trees and consumed litter and duff on the forest floor, clearing the way for fire resistant trees like ponderosa pine and western larch to thrive. Fire suppression over the last 100 years has led to forests that are overgrown, unhealthy, and susceptible to large wildfires. With many people now living in forested areas, these conditions pose a threat to community safety. The goal of the Forestry Committee is to work with private landowners to reduce wildfire risk near homes and communities while restoring forests to historic conditions.