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• Man convicted of damaging US Forest Service land

  December 8, 2012 8:19 AM

  DENVER (AP) - A Gunnison County property owner who prosecutors say treated U.S. Forest Service property as his own has been convicted of federal charges. Joseph Scott Wagner of Broomfield was convicted this week of two counts of damaging U.S. property and one count of removing U.S. property. Court documents... more »

• Downed tree clean-up continues

  May 23, 2012 2:15 PM

  Clean-up continues in the Sangre de Cristos on downed trees. Because of restrictions in wilderness areas, they're having to use handheld two-man saws in many areas, which requires each sawyer to be certified. We will have the latest today on News 5. -Lacey Steele Sent from my iPhone more »

• Battling the Pine Beetle

  April 5, 2012 5:35 AM

  ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK, Colo. (AP) - Rocky Mountain National Park is planning several steps to mitigate the effects of a bark beetle outbreak on its trees. Over the next two months, the park plans to protect up to 6,700 high-value trees in developed areas from being infected by beetles... more »

• New rules in the forest could mean big changes

  January 26, 2012 6:37 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The Obama administration says new rules to manage nearly 200 million acres of national forests will protect watersheds and wildlife while promoting uses ranging from recreation to logging. The new rules, to replace guidelines thrown out by a federal court in 2009, are to be released... more »

• Teenager in Germany says he spent 5 years in the forest

  September 19, 2011 8:41 AM

  In Germany, a teenager walked out of a forest speaking fluent English, but only knowing his name. He told authorities he spent the past five years roaming the woods with his father. They lived in tents and huts. He says they went there after his mother died in... more »

• National forest shooters damaging trees

  June 20, 2011 1:42 PM

  COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) - National Forest rangers are trying to limit damage to trees splintered by thousands of bullets by people using them for target practice. U.S. Forest Service ranger Frank Landis says about two acres of trees have been cleared by bullets in the Pike National Forest,... more »

• Area's of National Forest blocked for logging and mining

  June 1, 2011 5:27 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The Obama administration has extended for another year a rule that blocks most logging and mining in millions of acres of remote sections of national forests. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says he wants to preserve the so-called roadless rule while officials wait for federal courts to... more »

• Committee to consider Forest Service projects

  March 1, 2011 1:57 PM

  The Pike & San Isabel Resource Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting in Pueblo to evaluate projects for funding. The area of concern is Larimer, Chaffee, Huerfano and Park Counties. The public is invited to attend the meeting being held at the Supervisor's Office of the Pike and San... more »

• Researchers cite climate change in forest decline

  February 19, 2011 5:12 PM

  ASPEN, Colo. (AP) - Researchers predicted aspens and white pines in the West will face worsening devastation because climate change will make them more susceptible to disease and bugs, including an infestation of bark beetles. The researchers spoke Friday at a conference in Aspen. Jim Worrall, a U.S.... more »

• Smoke coming from Pikes Peak a controlled burn

  December 1, 2010 2:15 PM

  If you see smoke coming from Pikes Peak area, no need to worry. There are some controlled burns going on today. One is on the north slope of Pikes Peak where the Colorado State Forest Service is burning slash piles left over from a from a large mitigation project... more »

• Burning planned in Cotopaxi, Parkdale areas

  November 1, 2010 12:38 PM

  Residents in the Cotopaxi and Parkdale areas west of Canon City may see smoke in the near future as a result of slash pile burning by the Bureau of Land Management. The slash piles consist of debris from forest thinning projects. The project areas include: Arkansas Mountain, four miles... more »

• Yellowing Pine Needles Normal in Autumn

  October 15, 2010 2:02 PM

  We're used to seeing golden aspen leaves in autumn, but yellow or brown needles on pine trees in unnerving. Thoughts of pine beetle deforestation come to mind. But the Colorado State Forest Service Cañon City District office is telling us not to worry, that most of the evergreen trees... more »

• 2nd marijuana grow site found in Colo. mountains

  September 1, 2010 8:19 AM

  Authorities say a second suspected illegal marijuana growing site has been found in the mountains north of Boulder. Boulder County sheriff's Cmdr. Rick Brough says the second site found Tuesday is larger than one found nearby Monday that had about 3,500 marijuana plants, estimated to be worth a half... more »

• 3,000 pot plants found in Colorado mountains

  August 31, 2010 10:24 AM

  Authorities say about 3,000 marijuana plants have been found in a suspected illegal growing operation in the mountains north of Boulder. Officers plan to return the area Tuesday near the town of Raymond to recover the plants, estimated to be worth half a million dollars. The area is... more »

• Outfitter, guide indicted on game-baiting charges

  August 27, 2010 8:24 AM

  A longtime Colorado hunting outfitter and a hunting guide indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver are accused of putting out hundreds of pounds of salt to lure deer and elk for their clients. State and federal authorities say Dennis Eugene Rodebaugh of Meeker and Brian Douglas Kunz... more »

• Colorado recall: deli meat may contain listeria

  August 24, 2010 9:19 AM

  Now that you've rid your refrigerator of suspect eggs, here's another recall to check out. Deli meat sold at Wal-Mart is being recalled because of a possible listeria contamination. The meat was sold here in Colorado and nationwide. The meat was marketed under the Marketside Grab and Go... more »

• Twig beetles latest to attack Colorado forests

  July 7, 2010 9:05 AM

  As if the beetles that have killed millions of pine trees in the region weren't enough, there's a new bug looking to eat what the others haven't. Colorado forest officials say the latest troublesome bug is the twig beetle, which is attacking smaller trees the pine beetle has overlooked.... more »

• Fireworks warning for National Forests

  June 29, 2010 1:14 PM

  The U.S. Forest Service, which includes the Pike and San Isabel National Forests, and the Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands reminds campers that fireworks are illegal on public lands. That means shooting off fireworks as well as even taking them with you on a camping trip. If lighting a... more »

• Health Department investigates illness at conference center

  June 25, 2010 6:38 PM

  The El Paso County Health Department is investigating an illness that sickened people who have been at the LaForet Conference Center in Black Forest. Susan Whelan from the Health Department says they were notified about the illnesses Thursday. It is gastrointestinal in nature. The Health Department is working to... more »

• Medano fire grows very slowly

  June 23, 2010 3:36 PM

  The Medano Fire, burning on the north edge of the Sand Dunes National Park, grew only slightly since yesterday. It is now estimated as 4,891 acres, an increase of only 125 acres since Tuesday. There are just over 200 firefighters working the blaze, which is aimed only at containment.... more »

• UPDATE: Sand Dunes fire now at 5,300 acres

  June 18, 2010 5:15 PM

  A wildfire burning in the Great Sand Dunes National Park is now estimated to have grown to 5,300 acres. Park spokeswoman Carol Sperling said Friday the fire isn't threatening park facilities but it has now reached the boundary of the San Isabel National Forest. More crews are expected to... more »

• Sand Dunes fire up to 3,000 acres

  June 18, 2010 11:22 AM

  More warm weather is expected at the scene of a 3,000-acre wildfire burning on the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in south-central Colorado. Park spokeswoman Carol Sperling says the fire isn't threatening park facilities, but is heading toward the San Isabel National Forest. More crews are expected... more »

• Small fire burns near Sand Dunes

  June 10, 2010 6:05 PM

  A small wildfire is burning in the Great Sand Dunes National Park northeast of Alamosa. The fire was started by lightning on June 6 and is located about four miles north of the park Visitor Center near Little Medano Creek. It is estimated at 17 acres in size and... more »

• Officials: Pine beetle infestation has peaked

  January 16, 2010 1:40 PM

  The pine beetle infestation that has ravaged more than 2.5 million acres of forest in Colorado and Wyoming may be coming to an end. State and forest officials say the tiny beetle that burrows beneath the bark of pine trees and leaves them turning a sickly red as they die,... more »

• Wildfires destroy homes in Australia

  December 30, 2009 9:17 AM

  Hundreds of people in western Australia have fled ahead of a wildfire that has destroyed nearly 40 homes. At least three people were injured as two major blazes burned out of control after breaking out Tuesday in a wheat and sheep farming district north of the coastal city of Perth.... more »

• Christmas tree permits now available

  November 27, 2009 12:47 PM

  Some people are beginning to head to the mountains to cut down their own Christmas tree. Permits are now available for $10, limit two trees per household. If you plan to cut down your own tree the U.S. Forest service reminds you to be prepared for winter conditions. Take warm... more »

• Bio-fuel growth raises concerns about forests

  November 23, 2009 7:29 AM

  The quest for alternative energy is raising fears that too much logging debris such as limbs and bark will be removed from the nation's forests. Such material is increasingly in demand for bio-energy projects. A number of ventures in the Upper Midwest would use forest biomass. They include a... more »

• Logging in Kenya forest feeds deadly drought

  October 25, 2009 8:49 AM

  More than 200 of Ole Saloli's cows have died, ruining his children's inheritance and his safety net for old age. Now he wanders miles seeking pasture for the surviving animals, his bare feet as cracked and dry as the Kenyan earth he sleeps upon. Saloli, who estimates he is... more »

• Forest Service apologizes to Hispanic campers

  September 15, 2009 12:46 PM

  The U.S. Forest Service has apologized for suggesting that campers who eat tortillas, drink Tecate beer and play Spanish music may be armed marijuana growers, calling it "regrettable" and "insensitive." orest Service officials apologized to Colorado Hispanic leaders in a meeting two weeks ago and released a written apology this... more »

• Hikers safe after surviving two nights in mountains

  September 14, 2009 2:18 PM

  A Fort Carson soldier and his 19-year-old girlfriend from Pueblo are safe--having survived two nights in the mountains. The pair endured snow showers both nights, while wearing just jeans, t-shirts and tennis shoes. They're inexperienced hikers who went on a day hike in rugged country, and got lost. According to... more »

• Firefighters continue work on blaze north of Nucla

  September 1, 2009 1:56 PM

  Firefighters in southwest Colorado are still battling a lightning-sparked blaze that's threatening three cabins and an outbuilding. Fire officials say the nearly 2-square-mile wildfire had only moderate burning Monday with weaker than expected winds. The fire is on national forest land about 10 miles north of Nucla, 340 miles southwest... more »

• California wildfires to blame for our smoky skies

  August 31, 2009 5:03 PM

  Firefighters have been chasing down reports of smoke and the smell of smoke for much of the day Monday. Turns out the smoke has traveled a long way--from California. National Weather Service meteorologist Norv Larson said, "Looking at satellite trajectories, we can follow it all the way back to California.... more »

• News of Pike pot bust begs many questions

  August 30, 2009 8:52 AM

  The discovery of a large marijuana farm deep in the Pike National Forest is raising a lot of eyebrows, especially with local campers. "Wow! That's really close to home. I thought that's a little bit scary." says camper Phil Erlander. He and his wife have been camping in the Pike... more »