[altasnob]

Some interesting Aspen/fire information I read: "Quaking aspen is generally considered to be a fire-adapted species because it regenerates prolifically after fire, and it can be replaced by more shade-tolerant tree species in the absence of fire. As early-successional aspen stands transition to greater conifer-dominance, they become increasingly fire prone, until fire returns, and aspen again temporarily dominate. . . [T]this disturbance-succession cycle is critical to the persistence of aspen on many landscapes. . . The relatively high fuel-moisture content in many aspen stands often makes them resistant to fire spread. . . [H]igh severity fire may be required for prolific aspen regeneration in seral aspenconifer stands." https://www.nationalforests.org/assets/pdfs/WAA-Brief3_aspen-fire_2015final.pdf Not happy for the fire in Umtanum Canyon but it appears repeated high severity fires in the canyon may be the reason there are aspen there and may be necessary for the aspen to propagate.

[Pyrites]

Is there adequate moisture except immediately adjacent to the creek for aspen? It looked like sagebrush was climax vegetation when I walked through. Stream too big and gradiant to high for beaver dams to spread it out. Best.