The Sierra Forest Voice
Web Edition
Vol. 2, No. 3 August 2008
Update on the Framework
After seven years of working to restore the landmark 2001 Sierra Nevada Framework, Sierra Forest Legacy and our partner groups are now one step closer to securing an ecologically balanced forest plan for the Sierra Nevada. On August 1, 2008, District Court Judge Morrison England finally issued his ruling on the summary judgment motions challenging the Bush administration 2004 revision of the Framework that have been pending for over two years. (The opinion, Sierra Nevada Forest Protection Campaign v. Rey, is reported at 2008 WESTLAW 3056128 (E.D. Cal. 2008)) and can be read here. Judge England issued summary judgment in our favor on just one issue - the failure of the 2004 Framework EIS to consider reasonable alternatives, in keeping with the precedent set by the Ninth Circuit appellate court ruling on May 14, 2008. However, that one issue is sufficient grounds to turn back the illegal 2004 revision of the Framework that proposed tripling the scale of logging, reduced common sense protections for wildlife habitat throughout the Sierra, and placed economic values for a small sector of special interests above all other considerations.
On August 19, 2008, England also issued his ruling on the case pending from the State of California, with the same outcome.
Read more here...
Fire in the Mountains
Mother Nature spoke loudly during the summer solstice, with thunderstorms igniting hundreds of fires in the Sierra Nevada and throughout the state June 21-28.
Approximately 143,000 acres have burned so far in the SN from seasonal storms this summer, including the 15,300 acre Clover Fire in the South Sierra Wilderness of the Sequoia National Forest, which was also ignited by lightning on May 28.
Lightning storms are not at all unusual for this time of year (May-June). Sierran old-timers used to call storms of this type "buckeye storms," as they coincide with the blooming of California buckeye, Aesculus californica. Coupled with bone dry vegetation following two years of drought conditions, high temperatures and the hazardous fuel profiles of Sierra forests, the fires are not surprising.
Firefighter personnel managed several of the fires for Wildland Fire Use. Wildland Fire Use (WFU) fires are naturally ignited wildland fires that land management agencies manage for resource benefits. The Clover, American River Complex Wildland Fire (20,541 acres) on the Tahoe National Forest, and the Piute Wildland Fire (37,026 acres) on the Sequoia NF were managed, in part, as WFU.
While the smoke can be a serious issue for some sensitive individuals, overall we see the fires as beneficial for Sierran forests. Fire is the most effective and least expensive tool to reduce fuel loading and restore fire adapted ecosystems. It is essential to promote the robust and healthy new growth that provides quality wildlife habitat. The plant communities that arise after fire are the foundation of the forest food web and remain so for approximately 30 years.
Only the Canyon Complex fire on the Plumas NF, at 38,000 acres, is currently still burning, according to the national Incident Information System. Conditions fueling the fire include left over logging slash. A high percentage of clearcuts and industrial plantation forestry have contributed to favorable conditions for increased fire intensity and spread throughout the state.
It remains to be seen how the Forest Service will manage the areas burned after the fires are out.It has been demonstrated by research scientists that logging after fire--called "salvage logging"--severely interferes withe regenerative processes. Fragile soils are easily eroded or compacted,and newly scarified seeds--awaiting the first rains of fall to germinate--may be irreparably damaged or buried too deeply to survive heavy equipment. Plantation forestry that follows salvage logging eliminates the very species that are needed to provide essential wildlife habitat and the basis of future forest succession. As stated by Dr. Jerry Franklin, in testimony to Congress in 2005, "By creating such plantations we are simply creating the conditions-the fuel--for the next uncharacteristic stand-replacement fire!"
Read what the press has been saying about the recent fires here.Karina Silvas Joins SFL Staff as Firewise Program Coordinator
We welcome forester Karina Silvas, who joined SFL as Firewise program coordinator this June. Karina has a forestry degree from Humboldt State University. She has worked in the timber industry as an intern for Weyerhauser in Oregon, and as a fire fighter for the Forest Service on the Mendocino NF. Her experience has led her to value the importance of educating the public about fire and fire prevention. She will be working with landowners and land managers to better protect homes and communities, while encouraging projects that promote the benefits of fire and build fire resiliency in our forests. Karina will be a big asset to conservation efforts and fire education in the Sierra Nevada.
Currently, Karina and SFL's forester David Jaramillo are working to help several communities to increase their fire preparedness, and become recognized through Firewise Communities/USA. The communities include Walden Woods Homeowners Association in Granite Bay, Foresthill, and Banner Mountain. She also attends many of the local Fire Safe Council (FSC) meetings throughout the Central Sierra to increase community awareness. The FSC has provided many opportunities for Sierra Forest Legacy and Firewise Communities to become an integral part of the solution to the fire threat.
More about Firewise here.
The Importance of Fire in the Sierra Nevada
by Karina Silvas
Fire has played a large role in the Sierra Nevada Forests, for example, “Fires ignited by lightning and Native Americans have been a component of the majority of California ecosystems for thousands of years” (Stephens et. al. 2007).
With the recent lightning activity that we have seen in California, there is an overwhelming concern about the effects of fires. The adoption of fire exclusion policy in California during the early 20th century fire suppression has produced undesirable ecosystem characteristics including: increased tree density, high fuel loading, and changes in wildlife habitat primarily in ecosystems that once experienced frequent, low-moderate intensity fires. Although fire suppression was well intentioned and has been the primary goal in land management and fire protection agencies for decades, there has been a gradual trend towards recognition of the critical role of fire in managing ecosystems.
Presently there is some controlled fire used within California for management, but it is heavily constrained by smoke production, and the wildland urban interface (WUI) component that many of our California communities live within. Smoke management is one of the most challenging issues restricting controlled burning in California.
As environmentalists, we must understand how fire affected our landscape before anthropogenic ideals. In reality, “Skies were likely smoky much of the summer and fall in California during the prehistoric period” (Stephens et. al. 2007). If we truly would like to return the Sierra Nevada bioregion to the natural ecosystem that once dominated this area, we must understand how to live compatibly with nature as well as fire. We must educate ourselves on the benefits that fire can have in our ecosystems. There are many beneficial effects that fire has on our ecosystems including: recycling of soil nutrients, removal of dead and dying vegetation, reduction in ladder fuels, and creating conditions that allow for healthy forest re-growth.
What we must remember is that fire is an essential and natural process, and although it can be destructive where homes and lives are concerned it does play an important part in the future health of forest environments. We must all be a part of the solution to create a more natural ecosystem within the Sierra Nevada, and this starts with YOU. I will leave you with this to think about, “In the main forest belt of California, fires seldom or never sweep from tree to tree in broad all-enveloping sheets…. Here the fires creep from tree to tree, nibbling their way on the needle-strewn ground, attacking the giant trees at the base, killing the young, and consuming the fertilizing humus and leaves”--John Muir, 1895. Click here for further prehistoric fire information about California, and here to learn more about how you can be part of the solution through sound Firewise Communities practices.
Stephens, S.L., R.E. Martin, and N.E. Clinton. 2007. Prehistoric Fire Area and Emissions from California’s Forests, Woodlands, Shrublands, and Grasslands. Forest Ecology and Management, 2007.
Seasonal Firewise Practices: Summertime
by Dave Jaramillo, RPF
We made it through a wonderful spring full of life and adventure...I hope that you had the chance to get out frequently to experience the wildflowers, budding trees, singing birds and of course the amazing fragrances of spring in the Sierra Nevada. This is a special time of year especially after a wet and cold winter and spring. The days are long and hot and the gardens are photosynthesizing, creating the energy necessary to produce those wonderful summer fruits and vegetables. Yet, it is the height of fire season, and we still have some important maintenance to do in order to better protect our homes and communities from Sierra Nevada summer fires. Remember that the Sierra Nevada is a fire adapted ecosystem and requires fire, so let’s continue our preparation. Let’s get started.I hope that your Spring cleaning got you prepared for what the summer home maintenance may bring to you. During the spring we did some early growth reduction in our yards as well as planted our summer gardens. This very important work will make it a bit easier for us to move forward in our fire mitigation efforts. If you are new to fire mitigation please see the previous Dave the Forester articles for tips and guidance on what you can do to better prepare for fire season. It is my suggestion that if you already completed your yard pruning and planted your garden that you now focus your time maintaining what you worked so hard to complete. This maintenance involves a very small investment of your time and will repay you even if a fire does not occur.
While in the yard be sure to keep the garden watered as well as any vegetation that is next to your house. It is very important that vegetation close to your house be kept moist and growing. If you neglect this vegetation it will dry out in the long hot winter days and become very volatile fuel for the fire. Even the smallest vegetation if left unattended may pose a very serious threat to your house should it ignite during a wildfire event. Watering in the morning or evening are best because the water is absorbed more in the soil rather than evaporating before it can be of any use to the plant. Should you have specific irrigation questions or to learn how to set up a water conservation irrigation system I would suggest contacting your local
nursery or master gardener.
As I mentioned in my last issue, deck furniture and flammable material around your house can pose a serious fire risk. If you are like me you are taking advantage of the long warm days and spending quality time outside on deck furniture. Most deck/outdoor furniture are relatively safe as far as fire ignition is concerned. What you do need to be concerned about are furniture pads and other flammable material that you may place on your deck and or deck furniture. This type of material may pose a great threat to your home if it is out during a fire. Remember that you need to be prepared in the event that a fire starts when you are away for the weekend or out for the day, so take precautions with your deck furniture and other flammable materials before you leave. By removing furniture mats every time you are leaving you can greatly reduce the risk of your comfortable furniture burning your house down.
Summer is also a time when we tend to work on all of our home projects. While working on your home it is essential that you check your home for areas that firebrands can invade your home during a fire. Most homes burn down when firebrands ignite them during a wildfire. It is not the big flames but the small firebrands that may pose the biggest threat to your home. It is my suggestion that you first look at your roof. Make sure that your roof is clean and free of flammable materials such as pine needles and that it is constructed using class A materials and standards (click here for more information regarding your roof). Next, check all of your vents and make sure that you have a least a ¼” metal mesh screen covering all of your vents. This screening will help reduce the likelihood of firebrands penetrating your home. If you have a deck it is also my recommendation that you first clean all flammable material from underneath and then screen with at least ¼” metal mesh. Finally I would recommend that you check your home for any other areas where fire brands can penetrate and fix as soon as possible, including garage doors, house doors and windows. By making your house as fire brand resistant and tight as possible you can greatly reduce the risk of your home igniting during a wildfire. Remember, it is not necessarily the big flames that pose the greatest risk, rather the very small fire brands that can make their way into the smallest of areas that pose the most substantial threat to your home.
Although we are enjoying summertime weather we all know that fall is coming soon. As we begin to prepare for the cooler weather let me leave you with some parting advice. Wood is a great way to heat our homes, but wood piles close to the home during fire season can pose a serious risk to our homes. Wood piles after all hold fuel and it is best to leave this fuel at least 30 feet from our homes during the fire season. It is my advice that as you begin to stockpile wood and or wood pellets that you do so in a manner that keeps it away from your house. Woodpiles can also be a problem to your home should bugs from the pile make their way into your structure. So for these to reasons it is best to keep the piles stored well away from your house. Finally, make sure that before you start your first fall fire that you have your flu pipes cleaned and that you have a spark arrester on he top of the pipe so that fire brands do not fly out of your fireplace.
Fire affects us all and does not discriminate or stop at property lines. We need to work together as communities and neighbors in order to protect ourselves. A community that works together will thrive and survive together. So let’s be good stewards of the land and our community and get out into our yards and do our Firewise work. And don’t be afraid to ask your neighbor if they need help while you are at it. A community is made up of good people looking out for each other and come fire season this is more important than ever. If you have any questions about the Firewise program feel free to contact me and I will be more than willing to help.
Have fun and be well.
David Jaramillo
david [AT] sierraforestlegacy [DOT] org
Registered Professional Forester # 2839
Species Profile: Sierra Mountain Yellow-legged Frog
Until recently, the mountain yellow-legged frog in the northern and central Sierra Nevada, and those in the mountains of southern California, were thought to be the same species. Today scientists recognize the Sierra Nevada mountain yellow-legged frog, (specifically, those frogs north of Mather Pass) as a unique species, Rana sierrae. The species are thought to have diverged more than 2 million years ago. Both species are critically endangered with extinction. Surveys have shown that 93% of the R. sierrae and 95% of R. muscosa historical populations are now extinct. Read more about the endangered mountain yellow legged frog here.