Post fire thoughts
So far, so good. Nothing in this week’s weather, or in the seven-day forecast, has caused the fire danger to increase. Our fires are not dead out, but do not pose much of a threat to make a run.
Even when they are dead out, there will be a lot of work to be done and critical decisions to be made.
How much salvage will there be? Past experience shows that with only a little bit of salvage, a lot of dead fuel will remain in the woods to fuel the next fire, make it harder to fight and more likely to spread. Even so, there are a lot of rules and regulations that limit the amount of salvage that can be done.
In Glacier Park, I don’t expect much, if any, salvage. National Parks are not into salvage beyond cutting trees that are a hazard to roads, trails or buildings. Parks were designated to reflect the natural order and so we don’t do much to manage Mother Nature.
National Forests, like the Flathead, can conduct salvage logging, but there are restrictions. Probably the biggest restriction involves grizzly bears. Their critical habitat prevents logging and road density is also a factor.
Luckily, the trees cut to establish the fire lines on the Whale Butte Fire were loaded up and removed from the fire area to reduce possible fuel for the fire. These logs can certainly be sold quickly. As for any other logging in the Coal Ridge or Whale Butte Fires, I think much, if not all, of those fires were in critical bear habitat and I doubt if there will be much salvage.
For sure, any prolonged legal battle will virtually end any salvage since dead trees will lose their value when left in the forest. The value is much less in just a few months.
Salvage is not the only decision to be made after a fire. How much rehab needs to be done to restore the area to natural conditions? Dozer lines to be obliterated? Is erosion a problem? Do culverts on involved roads need to be repaired or enlarged to facilitate faster runoff? These and more will determine what local officials will be able to do.
If private citizens don’t like the rules and regulations, do not hassle local Forest or Park employees. They don’t make the rules. They are required to follow them. Instead, write your Congressman or U.S. Senator. They can do more to change rules than anyone.
As I write this on Sunday, we have had a good, wetting rain on Trail Creek. This will help contain fires still burning and prevent new ones from starting.
NFLA members are reminded that dues are due ($15 per member) and that we hope that everyone, members and non-members, will respond to the survey being mailed to all North Fork landowners this fall. The survey will help the board of directors shape their proposals for meeting times and dates as well as for future social and educational events.
Finally, now is the time to prepare for the general hunting season, which will begin in a few weeks. Hunter orange can be used to post your property, as well as more traditional signage.
Larry Wilson’s North Fork Views appears weekly in the Hungry Horse News.