Brush Creek-Hayden forest has new Ranger

Melanie Fullman, the new forest ranger for the Brush Creek-Hayden district, is ambivalent about the lack of snow in the mountains. If the dry conditions continue, they could add up to a rough fire season next year, continued forest health problems and tricky range management decisions.

The late fall has also afforded Fullman, new on the job in late September, some time to get acquainted with the forest.

“I have had an extended, late field season to get into areas of the mountains that you normally couldn’t get into,” Fullman said.

Fullman has worked for the forest service for 16 years, but als...