Keystone passes measure naming wildfire hazards public nuisances, opening path to penalize violators for dead, diseased trees (Summit Daily News)

The image shows a forest area with several cut tree stumps among standing trees and sparse greenery. — Stumps from trees cut down as part of a fire mitigation project in Keystone sit in the forest July 15. Three private landowners worked with Summit Fire & EMS to do fuel mitigation work on their adjoining properties.
*Kyle McCabe/Summit Daily News*

Keystone’s Town Council unanimously approved a measure to make wildfire fuel hazards, like dead or diseased trees, considered public nuisances. Changes will take effect after 30 days and will allow the town to take punitive action against those who don’t remove fuel hazards from their property. Community Development Director Drew Nelson said that the majority of properties in town have already mitigated necessary hazards, and will likely not be affected. The properties that are not currently compliant, he explained, primarily include second or vacation homes. Read more ...