WILDFIRES HAMMER MENDOCINO BACKCOUNTRY

M9 Road Heading to Doe Peak - Circa 2017

Mendocino National Forest

*All of these pictures are near or in the August Complex Fire burn footprint

AUGUST COMPLEX FIRE HAMMERS MENDO BACKCOUNTRY

The one-two punch of COVID-19 and the 2020 wildfire season continues to devastate families, private homes, and public lands in the Golden State.  One wildfire of keen interest to many backcountry trail enthusiasts is the August Complex Fire that is advancing across the northern part of the Mendocino National Forest.

M3 Road North of SheetIron Mountain - Circa 2014

Mendocino National Forest

Historically, this region of the Forest provides access to a lot of mid to high-elevation “deep woods” type dispersed/remote backcountry recreation for both motorized and non-motorized outdoor enthusiasts vs. the southern end of the Forest that is home to more developed OHV use, boating, camping, and fishing. 

OHV Route at Doe Peak Area - Circa 2017

Mendocino National Forest

The August Complex’s destructive path continues north from where the 2018 Ranch Fire was stopped near SheetIron Mountain.   Much of this area is a heavily wooded conifer forest that has not seen a significant fire event in some time.  This area is (or was) also prime habitat for the Northern Spotted Owl.

M9 Ridgeline Route - Circa 2017

Most of the OHV recreation on this part of the Forest occurs on designated roads with some trail networks in the Doe Peak area that are enjoyed by dirt-bikes, ATVs, SxSs, and 4WDs.  However, the vast majority of motorized recreation opportunity is for street legal dual-sport/ADV motorcycles and 4WDs.  

4WD Route in Hull Fire Footprint - Circa 2016

Mendocino National Forest

According to a Forest Service update today on the August Complex – comprised of the Hull, Doe, Tatham, and Glade fires- it sits at 221,284 acres and has 18 percent containment.

LINK TO AUGUST 30 AUGUST FIRE UPDATE

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/photos/CAMNF/2020-08-16-1732-Doe-Fire/picts/2020_08_30-08.23.30.739-CDT.pdf

Based on what I know of the fire and the area, the fire appears to have impacted a lot of the heavily wooded areas north of SheetIron Mountain along the M3 corridor, the Doe Peak trail system on the north side of FH7, and many dispersed camping and backcountry touring opportunities along the M2/M4/M9 route network.

Sugar Springs Campground along M4 - Circa 2017

Mendocino National Forest

Let’s hope that as other fires are contained that firefighting resources can be redeployed from those battles to help with the August Complex.

Stay tuned for future updates.

  

2020 WILDFIRES MAX CAPACITY

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

 http://quietwarriorracing.blogspot.com/2017/05/adventure-to-backcountry-treasure-kicks.html

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

http://quietwarriorracing.blogspot.com/2018/05/opinion-adv-to-our-forest-past-to-guide.html

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.

NEWS RELEASE - JOIN CELEBRATION OF NEW PROPERTY ACQUISITION AT COW MOUNTAIN

Blue Oak Ranch 

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Don Amador

Email: damador@quietwarriorracing.com

Date: August 7, 2020

OHV CELEBRATES NEW PROPERTY ACQUISITION AT COW MOUNTAIN

OAKLEY, CA  –  QWR would like to join the BLM Ukiah Field Office and other OHV partners in celebrating the recent acquisition of the 1,391 acre Blue Oak Ranch near Lakeport, California into America’s public lands.  This new addition is located along the Highway 175 corridor and will provide much needed high quality public access to the South Cow Mountain OHV Recreation Area.

LINK TO OFFICIAL BLM NEWS RELEASE ON BLUE OAK RANCH PURCHASE

https://www.blm.gov/press-release/blm-lwcf-land-acquisition-increase-public-access-south-cow-mountain-ohv-management

Don Amador, QWR president and government affairs lead for AMA District 36, states, “Acquisition of the Blue Oak Ranch is an historic moment for the OHV community and an important addition to the BLM’s South Cow Mountain OHV Management Area.  It will greatly improve access to the unit for cars, trucks, and RVs.”

Craig Blencowe, Ranch Owner, Giving Property Overview at 

2019 OHV Commission Field Trip to South Cow Mountain OHV Management Area

“The Ranch will also provide a significant number of new camping opportunities and other facilities that will serve a wide range of OHV activities.  It will also provide a much need staging area for permitted OHV competition events,” Amador concludes.

Map of Blue Oak Ranch and Potential Facilities

The acquisition was made possible via partnership funding from the California State Park Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division Grants Program and the Land and Water Conservation Fund .

The property is adjacent to the South Cow Mountain OHV Management Area, which is managed for OHV use and congressionally designated as a recreation area in 2006 through the Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage Act, U.S. Public Law 109-362.

50TH ANNIVERSARY OF CA OHV PROGRAM ON COMMISSION AGENDA

ATTEND VIRTUAL OHV COMMISSION MEETING ON AUGUST 6

QWR would like to post an alert on the upcoming CA OHV Commission meeting that is being held on August 6, 2020 - via the internet.   If you are able to attend, the meeting starts at 8:30am on Thursday and you are encouraged to observe and/or share comments on the following agenda topics related to Oceano Dunes, OHV Safety Week, and a proposal for the commission to adopt a resolution in support of the OHMVR Program’s 50^th Anniversary in 2021.

 PROPOSED DRAFT COMMISSION RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE 50^TH ANNIVERSARY OF OHV PROGRAM

https://ohv.parks.ca.gov/pages/1140/files/04-C-Resolution-OHMVR_50_Anniversary-080620.pdf

 There will be reports from the Forest Service and BLM on federal recreation issues.  Also, OHMVR staff will make presentations on law enforcement, Mammoth Bar OHV Area Project Update, status of OHV Trust Fund, and Oceano Dunes.

 The Agenda and meeting login info can be found on the OHMVR website at the link below.

 LINK TO AUGUST 6, 2020 OHMVR COMMISSION MEETING INFO

https://ohv.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=27160

 I hope that you are able to attend some of the commission meeting which I expect to last all day.  Thanks for your interest in managed OHV recreation.

 

BREAKING NEWS - Governor Newsom Appoints New Deputy Director to the CA OHV Program

New Deputy Director of CA OHMVR Program, Sarah Miggins, at 2019 OHV 

Commission Tour of the Famous Rubicon Trail

Governor Newsom Appoints New Deputy Directory of the OHV Program

QWR would like to be among the first to congratulate Sarah Miggins on her appointment today by Governor Gavin Newsom to be the new deputy director of the California Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division at the Department of Parks and Recreation.

LINK TO GOVERNOR NEWSOM’S NEWS RELEASE ON MIGGINS APPOINTMENT

https://www.gov.ca.gov/2020/07/28/governor-newsom-announces-appointments-7-28-20/

Don Amador, former chairman of the CA OHV Commission and spokesman for sustainable OHV recreation, states, “I have known and worked with Sarah for a number of years during her tenure on the CA OHV Commission.  Her strong commitment to sustainable recreation management, volunteer programs, and conservation efforts will serve the OHMVR Division well as it seeks to provide continued public access to high-quality and environmentally responsible motorized recreation or motorized access to non-motorized opportunities.”

“I also think her significant experience in managing conservation-oriented non-profit volunteer organizations will add an important element to the CA OHV program.  In addition, I believe her appointment will help bring stability, transparency, and accountability to the OHMVR Division and Program,” Amador continues.

“QWR thanks the Governor’s office for this critical appointment and looks forward to working with deputy director Miggins in her new role as the lead for the OHMVR Division,” Amador concludes.

# # # 

OHV SALES SPIKE HIGHLIGHTS NEED FOR DIRT BIKE TRAINING

New Rider Taking MSF Dirt Bike School Class

OHV Workshop on the Tahoe NF

It’s no secret that families are spending more time recreating on public lands where they can escape for a few days from the COVID-19 chaos.  Data from the Motorcycle Industry Council supports that observation by showing off-highway motorcycle sales shot up 18.9 percent in the first quarter of the year.  Those sales figures and related training information are contained in the NOHVCC news release below.

LINK TO DIRT BIKE SALES FIGURES AND SAFETY TRAINING INFORMATION

https://www.nohvcc.org/as-dirt-bike-sales-jump-motorcycle-safety-foundation-offers-tips-resources/

Land agencies are also noticing a spike in the demand by the public for access to high quality outdoor trail-based recreation and camping both at developed and dispersed sites.

Rider in Youth Class Competition Event Learns about OHV Policies

Shasta Dam GP Tech Station at BLM's Chappie-Shasta OHV Area

QWR believes safety training for youth and new riders is critically important and recommends they should take training classes offered by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation through its DirtBike School program.

Rider on Youth Model Dirt Bike at Competition Event

Shasta Dam GP at BLM's Chappie Shasta OHV Area

Don Amador, QWR president and CA NOHVCC partner, states, “I believe that safety training for beginning riders of all ages is important.  We always try and incorporate OHV safety training at our annual interagency workshops so that new dirt-bikers can learn proper riding techniques.”

“It appears that COVID-19 has inspired outdoor enthusiasts to purchase dirt-bikes and other OHVs as part of their family strategy to recreate close to home at local or regional recreation sites. I think this new local-based recreation paradigm will be with us for the foreseeable future so it is important for OHV to retain and/or increase its capacity to train beginning riders,” Amador concludes.

LINK TO MSF DIRT BIKE TRAINING BROCHURE

 https://dirtbikeschool.org/Downloads/Parents_Youngsters_OHV.pdf

# # #

NEWS RELEASE - Congrats to New Forest Supervisor on the Eldorado NF

Jeff Marsolais Giving Presentation to Region 5 Recreation Resource

 Advisory Council in 2010 - Inyo National Forest

Quiet Warrior Racing (QWR) would like to extend our congratulations to Jeff Marsolais on his recent appointment to be the new Forest Supervisor on the Eldorado National Forest.   Jeff will start his leadership role on June 22, 2020.

Don Amador, President of QWR, states, “Over the last several decades, I have had the privilege of working with Jeff in support of sustainable recreation opportunities on several National Forests in California.  Jeff is committed to working with diverse interest groups in a collaborative manner.”

LINK TO ELDORADO NF NEWS RELEASE ABOUT JEFF TAKING LEAD POSITION

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/eldorado/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD746433

“Jeff will be busy since the Eldorado NF is home to a lot of high-quality motorized and non-motorized trail-based recreational opportunities.   Some of those uses include single-track motorcycle trails, ATV routes, and challenging alpine-type backcounty touring for SxSs and 4WDs.  The Forest is also home to permitted motorized skill events and club outings,” Amador concludes.