Walla Walla Native Plant Society (subchapter of Mid-Columbia Native Plant Society) hosted a most informative program on restoring the forest after a large-scale forest fire: the School Fire on the Umatilla National Forest, 2005.
Del Groat, Pomeroy Ranger District Fisheries Biologist, and Scott Riley, Umatilla National Forest Botanist, presented aerial views of the School Fire which began August 5, 2005, on land adjacent to the Forest boundary on the Pomeroy Ranger District. Apparently, a dead snag fell on a powerline. The steep canyons, very dry condition (high temperatures and low relative humidity), and higher than usual winds caused the fire to quickly spread onto Forestlands.
The 52,000-acre wildfire was contained on August 18, two weeks later, at a cost of $16 million. The State of Washington, the counties, the Forest Service and private fire fighting companies totaled 1,752 personnel to fight the fire. A Forest Service hotshot team, helicopters with water buckets, retardant planes, caterpillars, fire engines as well as many other fire fighters and equipment battled the fire for two weeks. The “slope- driven” fire required complex strategies to control, as well as protecting those trying to bring the wildfire under control.
Wildfires create their own weather causing cloud-like columns of smoke several hundred to thousands of feet high. The smoke generated is ubiquitous blocking out the sun, and inhibiting aerial reconnaissance and control efforts.
The fire burned over 109 structures including homes, summer cabins and outbuildings. All Forest Service buildings, including Camp Wooten were able to be protected. Several corrals and fencing were lost. Many wildlife were killed that couldn’t escape the fire. On the steeper ground the fire traveled up to 20 mph, preheating the trees, brush and other ground cover upslope.
Immediately after the fire was contained, fire crews were utilized to re-seed catlines and waterbars to begin vegetation restoration.
When the fire was 100% contained on August 18, a BAER (Bare Area Emergency Response) Team of twenty specialists began evaluating the restoration need and methods to be used. Both Del and Scott were members of the team.
The BAER team identified ten critical priority areas, (1,759 acres) for restoration to protect fish habitat, water quality, public safety, and public property. Satellite mapping was used to identify areas that burned the most severely, and had very steep slopes. Field ground-truthing was used to verify the mapping. Many streamsides had complete burning of lush brush and tree cover, as well as destruction of the soil structure in the top layers. About 600-700 acres were severely burned destroying the natural seedbank. Even large wood near and in the creek were burned.
As the team went forward with recovery planning, they were strongly urged to use native grass and plant seed, as well as planting trees grown for that specific area. Fortunately, ten years ago the Forest had embarked on collecting and growing native grasses, some herbs and shrubs. Enough native seed, shrubs and trees were available for restoration of identified sites.
In the late fall 1,759 acres were aerially (helicopter) grass-seeded by a local crop duster. The helicopter can seed 40 acres per hour, flies 60-70 mph releasing the seed about 200-300 feet above the ground. Application amount is determined by the PLS (Pure Live Seeds) per square foot for each grass species, and then prescribing the amount needed per acre. Some grass species have only 160-180 seeds per pound, while other species have a million live seeds per pound. The heli-seeder can apply 400 pounds of seed per swath which is 100-200 feet wide, and takes less than ten minutes. Needless to say, there is a large and busy ground crew to keep up with the helicopter!
Mulch was aerially applied on 154 acres of very steep slopes above streams for soil stability. The mulch was two types: weed-free wheat straw, and a new product, woodstraw from veneer shavings. The straw bales are bundled in netting and the binding cord cut prior to being applied. When the bales are dropped from the helicopter, they break up as they fall down through the burned trees. The mulch is similar to the hydro-seeding applied to cutbanks after road construction. A green dye is used to determine coverage.
A University of Idaho professor has installed study plots to determine the effectiveness of soil stability methods. Silt fences have been installed on some steeper slopes above the stream. The professor and his graduate students will return to measure the plots established last fall.
Since the District had already ordered tree seedlings to plant in this area, about 7,000 ponderosa pine will be planted this spring in burned areas. Riparian and upland shrubs totaling 30,000 will be handplanted in identified sites.
The District is assessing some previously forested areas where the fire has severely damaged stands of mature trees. Imminent tree mortality would indicate harvesting (logging) the trees would be indicated. No roadless areas are included in this assessment. A variety of logging methods (helicopter, skyline or ground-based forwarders) would be utilized depending on the site. The State of Washington Forestry Department are already logging state lands where trees were burned.
A sidelight to wildfires is the reality of mushroom pickers. Proliferation of morel mushrooms occurs after a wildfire here in the Pacific Northwest. And, that means a proliferation of mushroom pickers, including commercial buyers, to harvest this valuable crop. District folks are already making plans for selling permits. Additional Forest Service law enforcement officers are also needed to prevent theft of this lucrative product.