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Bomb Squad Blows Up Trees In Black Forest Burn Area


BLACK FOREST, Colo. (CBS4)- They're using a different tactic to remove burned trees form the Black Forest burn area- explosives.

Bomb squads from the Colorado Springs Police Department and the El Paso County Sheriff's Office used explosives to blow up trees that were burned by last month's fire north of Colorado Springs.

Typically firefighters cut down the trees with chainsaws. Using explosives allows the trees to be removed from a safe distance.

Crews tried the new technique on a handful of trees on private property located along Coachman Drive in the Black Forest burn area.

The Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association said the fire prompted about approximately 3,630 homeowner and auto insurance claims. El Paso County reports 486 structures burned.

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