One thousand five-hundred eighty (1,580) acres of aspen burned during the Sanford Fire. Aspen provide forage and cover for a variety of wildlife and livestock, help maintain healthy watershed conditions, enhance soil productivity and are aesthetically pleasing. So it would appear at first glance, that the loss of even this small amount of aspen (only 3.1% of total aspen within the Upper Sevier Watershed) could negatively affect this area. However, approximately 90% of the aspen are in mid-to-old age condition, leaving them susceptible to disease and mixed conifer encroachment *(Assessment of Major Veg. Types, 2000). Ideally, fires like the Sanford move across the landscape, regenerating aspen and keeping different vegetation stages in balance.

*USDA Forest Service. 2000. Assessment of Major Vegetation Types, Proper Functioning Condition (PFC) / Desired Future Condition (DFC); Upper Sevier River Watershed Private Lands, and Bureau of Land Management, Dixie National Forest, Cedar Breaks National Monument, Bryce Canyon National Park, and State of Utah Lands.