The Missionary Ridge Fire started on June 9, 2002 and lasted until containment on July 15th, 2002. The fire burned 73,000 acres (29,000 ha). The burn area included Missionary Ridge and areas east near Lemon and Vallecito Reservoir. With the help of the San Juan National Forest (SJNF) and Fort Lewis College, we have created this site to quantify post-fire vegetation responses over a decade later. In 2003, SJNF established 840 permanent plots in different vegetation types and burn severities. SJNF remeasured all 840 plots in 2004 and 2006. In 2017, 15 years post-fire, SJNF remeasured a sub-sample of the 840 plots. Dr. Korb and SJNF are actively pursuing granting funding to remeasure all 840 plots.

Navigating this website the Photo Comparison Map can compare images from the same location in plots sampled in 2003 and 2017. The Timelapse feature will allow you to see satellite imagery from years leading up to the fire and years following. Advanced Maps will display fire severity and fire intensity information for more detailed analysis along with high resolution satellite imagery.