BURNING UP FOR YOUR LOVE
This week, Inyo National Forest firefighters, along with assisting agencies, continued prescribed burns planned for areas just outside the Town of Mammoth Lakes.
Representatives from news agencies were invited to observe the burn on Wednesday via escort by Public Affairs Officer Lisa Cox from the Inyo National Forest. Cox explained this project was a top priority for the Forest Service, as she said prescribed burns are considered vital to restoring natural fire intensities and intervals. Reducing the amount of fuel will decrease future wildland fire intensity, and lower the risk of devastating damage to ecosystems, cultural areas, and built environments.
Prescribed burns reduce “ladder fuels” so the next time wildfire moves through that area, it will be less likely to travel up into the tree canopy and do a “crown run.”
Cox explained that the ultimate worst case scenario is a crown run fire next to a town. A crown run is when the fire leaves the ground and starts traveling through the trees. These are the types of fires severely impacted by wind. “If it is on the ground and moving betweens sparse fuels, firefighters can engage more directly with their tactics,” Cox said. If it is doing a crown run, the firefighters job changes from being in offensive or defensive mode, to getting out of there as quickly as possible. “That’s what we don’t want. So having these burns is preventing that,” Cox said.
Cox explained that even with notice via media releases and road signs, the public is often concerned about the amount of smoke that can be observed from one of these burns (especially when said town has spent a half million bucks to bring an outdoor event to the area). On Wednesday Oct. 4, the plume of smoke rising in a column out of the burn area was indeed magnificent.
They were burning 50 acres, called the “Pit Unit,” but to a layperson, such as myself, it looked like an atomic bomb had been set off right in front of the Sherwin Creek Campground. “We put up some info boards around town,” Cox said, but explained that the Fire Chief (see related letter page five) is probably getting hounded with calls. “Hopefully people aren’t getting scared.”
Two hotshot crews were on the burn, as well as an engine from the San Bernardino National Forest. Assisting support was also provided by Mammoth Lakes Fire Department.
The Forest Service described the visibility impact of Wednesday’s burn as “moderate.” Cox said that a fire like this can continue to smolder for “days, to weeks,” depending on the weather, so residents might not need to be concerned if they come across smoking vegetation in a burn area. The Forest Service has been working in coordination with the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District and National Weather Service meteorologists to get the best weather conditions and smoke dispersal. To check current air quality, visit airnow.gov.
Firefighters were seen walking with mini rakes called “monkey paws.” These are used for minimum impact suppression techniques, clearing around vulnerable trees, downed logs that are hosting habitat, or clearing power line markers to ensure no damage is caused.
“As we drive through you will notice that it is not completely burned. That is a good thing. That is what we are going for,” Cox said. Usually, projects aim for around 70% consumption. They are looking to get the mosaic pattern effect, with varying fire effects. That creates good habitat for wildlife, and an opportunity for different vegetation to grow and seed. “It’s the way that fire would be naturally burning through this area,” Cox said.
The project is a long time coming according to Cox. Anytime a federal agency does any sort of management, moved earth, or a prescribed burn project, they have to go through an environmental review process that studies and analyzes the effects of the project and any alternatives that may need to be considered to minimize adverse effects according to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Typically, most forests will enact a forest-wide NEPA for prescribed burning, in order to prevent having to do an individual NEPA endeavor for each project.
The next planned burn is the “Smoke Unit” located on the east side of Highway 395, adjacent to Smokey Bear Flat.
