This is so depressing...

[HappyFishers]

Right there with you guys


:hoboy:

[SSPey]

These "pristine" forests bear the hand of man in such a big way from decades of fire suppression. They are anything but pristine - in fact, they've been mismanaged to an unnatural state.

People of the last 50 years have been living a fantasy in the west. I hiked through the Bisquit fire over Labor Day weekend - amazing to see that forest recovering. So cool to see the big trees that survived - and the big ones that didn't. I think these areas will be more interesting than ever.

[Old Coot]

The latest map of the Booth Fire currently burning in the greater Santiam Pass area shows a significant breakout to the west. The list of lakes shown as within the burn includes Square Lake, Round Lake, Long, Booth, Wasco, Catlin, Grenet, Green Peak, Mowich, Alice, Red Butte, Big and Little Bowerman, Teto, and Chiquito. South of the highway a few more are freshly toasted.

As of 11 today it appears that the fire has its sights on Jorn and Blue (the other Blue, not the one near Suttle) immediately; Camp Pioneer in the near future. The maps show the fire about to exit the Wilderness through the west boundary at about Widgeon Lake, near Fay.

I know it's all part of nature's renewal and all of that, but so many beautiful settings are gone for generations; I wish the renewal could have held off another few years 'till I'm dead. The USFS has announced that they expect to close the burn for a period of YEARS...all of that incredibly beautiful fly water - poof. I'm so fortunate I was able to guide a group of boys through the old Skyline Trail section of this burn just last summer. First time I was thru there was about 1959 and it remains a most cherished memory.

That's all, just wanted to agonize a little with people who understand. :depressed:

FYI, bandbcomplex.com

[ 09-03-2003, 12:48 PM: Message edited by: Old Coot ]

[greenbuttskunk]

Loosing any stands of forest are heart-breaking to me too. I know it's natures way of cleansing a forest, but it's so tough to see these pristine areas destoyed, especially when it's by some carelss camper or arsonist. You can't punish them enough in my opinion.
GBS

[deefly]

I have seen so few of these areas, I only have vague memories as a scout in the 60s. If its any consolation: Mt St Helens started a good comeback in just 8-10 years! And that was from a volcano!!
Theres hope!
:grin:

[Gus Orviston]

I thought Yellowstone was once burned to ruin. Traveled through it 2 years later, and it was lush and so were the elk herds. You go look at it now and it has bounded back. More feed for the last several years and a great renewal for the park.

It is all a part of mother natures way, many critter will benefit, some new trees will be naturally be germinated.

I don't mind it at all, if things never changed life would be boring. And we get to watch it go through its steps. A great example of getting to see recovery is Mt. St. Helens. what a show it has been.

gus

[skein]

Gus,

I really really don't want to start the old "loggers vs ...." debate, but clearcuts do the same things as far as producing feed and renewal. I just don't think raging, run-away forest fires are a good way to renew the forests.

As a clarification, I don't for a minute think you're standing back applauding the fire either.

It's okay for some of us to be saddened by the destruction, and to lament the loss.

Wait 'til Opal Creek burns. That, too, will be a sad day.

Skein

[24 on/ 48 off]

I drove over the Santiam Pass two days ago. It wasn't really bad. A few areas burned out more than others.

--spud-- :smile:

[rpnsteelheadlps]

Is it not true that a lot of trees seeds only ???? germinate from the heat of a fire ? If this is the case than a natural forest fire is a way to clean itself of disease and restablish new growth.

[Navigator]

David U -- That is the case with lodgepole pine - which really applied to the yellowstone fires in 1988. The B & B complex is higher elevation where lodgepole not that prevalent - but could apply on the east side of the fires.

[TillamookChinook]

I will be interested in how the forests right around Camp Sherman fared in the fire. Some of that forest near the road in has been thinned and "prescriptively" burned in recent years, so the ground was fairly clear and the larger trees remained. There were also areas where the forest was just a thicket, really in need of thinning. This terrible fire may provide a glimpse of what happens with and without proper forest management techniques.