This summer the Forest Service did some controlled burns in the forest near our cabin site. They burned the side and tops of a couple of hills at about 8000 feet in altitude. The burns were not total, they just burned dead stuff on the ground and the trees in the main burn area.

Is this likely to be a good site for finding wild mushrooms in the future? If so, what kind of mushrooms like burned-out areas and when should I look for them (this year or next)?

I can’t believe you haven’t received an answer until now… But maybe the info will be useful for future opportunities. Burned areas are the prime ground to find the elusive and delicious morel. I don’t know how many years the effect lasts. And I don’t know if it’s too late to check for this year. It depends on the altitude. Here, the morel season seems to correspond to the appearance of the first tulips in home gardens. Morels develop over a few weeks, so it’s worth a check.

Burned areas are very interesting ecosystems. Several species of plants and mushrooms grow almost nowhere else, so it should be a fascinating expedition in any season, especially spring (for morels and wildflowers) and fall (for other mushrooms).

A caution about travelling in a burned area: standing snags may have been undermined by the fire and can fall without notice. Never travel in a burned area in windy weather. In a small managed burn this should be less of an issue because the Forest Service people will have heavily patrolled the area and fallen hazard trees.

Paula

Thanks, Paula. Unfortunately, I can’t check these areas this Spring as I’m in New Jersey now (and for a few more years). But, I will be in Colorado this Fall, so will look for Fall mushrooms!