Waldo Canyon Fire, as Seen from Peterson Air Force Base — Sunset, 25 June 2012 — Given the Cyclical Long-Term Return of Southwestern U.S. Drought, Will this Burned Forest Ecology Regenerate?

© 2012 Peter Free

 

26 June 2012

 

Waldo Canyon Fire as seen from Peterson Air Force Base before sunset 25 June 2012.

 

Waldo Canyon Fire as seen from Peterson Air Force Base at sunset 25 June 2012.

 

Waldo Canyon Fire as seen from Peterson Air Force Base after sunset 25 June 2012.

 

Permanent ecological change in the making?

 

Will the warming, drying southwestern climate allow these burned forests to regenerate?

 

Or will mountain grass and shrub lands take their place?

 

The U.S. Geological Survey’s Dr. Craig Allen has predicted the replacement of forest with grasslands in the Jemez Mountains near Los Alamos, New Mexico.

 

Southern Colorado is also in the path of anticipated long-term drought.