View of August Complex Fire near Doe Peak
Picture taken from Stonyford, CA
COVID AND WILDFIRES MAX CAPACITY
Not sure where to start or what to say as I watch over
300 wildfires cut a swath of destruction across public and private lands in California. Just as many of us in recreation stewardship or
management are recovering from the 2018 Wildfire Season in Northern California,
we are now facing another round of challenges that stem from the devastating wildfires
that were ignited by thousands of recent lightning strikes.
For those of us who recreate on the Mendocino National
Forest (home of the largest wildfire in CA history) that have been working on
post 2018 Ranch Fire efforts to recover and reopen that area to multiple-use
recreation, it’s hard to fathom the still growing 116K acre August Complex Fire
that is now torching additional important recreation opportunities and
cultural/natural resources.
Cabins, ranches, homes, and private timber lands are also
being destroyed or threatened by the August Complex Fire.
As somebody who spends a lot of time on the Mendocino NF in
either a professional or personal basis, I want to share a couple of stories
with pictures of resources that are in the path of the wildfire.
For ADV or Backcountry enthusiasts, the article below
highlights important roads, scenic views, and cultural resources that are at
risk.
ADV OVERVIEW OF NORTH MENDO
Also, I want to share an article about an historic
wildfire that took the lives of firefighters back in 1953. There is a memorial
to them along FH7 and is a popular site to visit to remember and better
understand their sacrifice and what wildfires can do. The article below contains a number of
pictures of that memorial including the crosses that were placed on a hillside
where the fire overran the firefighters.
One small story of hope in this current firestorm is the fire may have spared the crosses on land that is
considered sacred ground by many.
RATTLESNAKE FIRE MEMORIAL ALONG FH7
Given COVID-19 restrictions and lack of fire-fighting
capacity, we have a long tough road ahead as the 2020 wildfire season continues
to explode.
continuing failed policies of the environmental community
ReplyDeleteAs long as we continue to manage our forests and fire fighting the same way we have done for decades, we will continue to have the same results of more and more catastrophic fires. Over 2 billion is spent fighting forest and wild land fires. If a portion of the funds were spent on forest health and management, then results would be different. Or our public land managers can continue on the same path until it all burns.
ReplyDelete