Wildfire Impacts on Trail Delineators and OHV Management

Mill Fire Destroyed Natural and Man-Made Trail Delineators

 

When catastrophic wildfires hit our national forests, it’s not just the wildlife and timber that are impacted.  Those fires often destroy many of the OHV management tools used to direct motorized recreationists to stay on designated roads and trails.

Trail delineators or barriers are commonly used to help encourage OHV users to stay on the trail and discourage cross-country travel where such use is prohibited.   When the 2012 Mill Fire burned over 80% of the designated trails at the Stonyford OHV Area on the Mendocino National Forest in Northern California, it destroyed thousands of man-made trail delineators and natural barriers such as manzanita, knobcone pine, and other forms of vegetation.

Forest Service and Volunteers Install New Trail Delineators on Mendocino NF

 

As part of a massive effort by the Forest Service, volunteers, and other partners to get the unit ready for public use by June 1, the agency and volunteer work crews are installing hundreds of new trail delineators along major transportation corridors and near campgrounds/staging areas that were impacted by the Mill Fire.
 

If you would like to help support these efforts please contact Don Amador at damador@quietwarriorracing.com or Paige Makowski at paigemakowshi@fs.fed.us

 

New Smokey Bear Ad and OHV Spark Arresters

QWR Sound Check Station at Chappie-Shasta OHV Area

 

As you know, QWR promotes the use of sound compliant exhaust with a functioning spark arrester when riding an OHV on designated roads, trails, and areas on public lands.  Recently, the Ad Council started its new Smokey Bear campaign in time to remind various publics about how they can help prevent wildfires.

Smokey Bear Campaign

www.smokeybear.com

QWR also wants to commend the campaign for its positive message when it comes to the use of OHVs on public lands.  Several years ago, the Smokey Bear program had a less-than-positive message about the legal use of OHVs on federal lands. 

In addition, the Forest Service updated their Spark Arrestor Guide last year with a lot of good information including a detailed list of all OHV-related approved spark arrestors.

 

Spark Arrester Guide – OHV Vol. 3

http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/programs/fire/spark_arrester_guides/index.htm

 

 

According to the guide, Forest Service Standard 5100-1c requires that each arrester shall be permanently marked with the model number and the manufacturer’s name or trademark. The model number must match exactly. The identification must be stamped in the metal body or on an attached metal plate.

 

Many states have spark arrester laws.  For those if you in CA, you can find that law below:

http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=23039

 

QWR looks forward to seeing many of you out on the trail this year.  Let’s all work to help ensure that OHV recreationists are using sound compliant spark arrestor exhaust systems to help reduce the threat of wildfires on public lands.