Great article providing some historical perspective. Today's fuel conditions, and probability of catastrophic fires are probably greater than in 1297.Though fire is natural, the accumulation of fuels during a period of drought/climate change, has created fire hazzards that are a real threat to existing Giant Sequoias over four feet dbh. There is no doubt that Giant Sequoias will regenerate. Consider this, If our goal is to do the best we can to preserve the giant monarchs that haven't been destroyed, we need forest management in the form of thinning white woods and using prescribed fire on a landscape wide basis.
Timber production is not the goal of Camp 70. Our goal is to preserve the giant trees that havent yet been destroyed. The big trees are dwindling and they must be protected. Whitewood removal and prescribed fire on a large scale will help us preserve the big trees. These management tools are just that--tools to help preserve the big trees. The larger vegetation must be removed following thinnings. Piling and burning of the thinned material has limited utility. Controlled fire alone can't be used on areas of heavy fuel without removals of the thinned/removed fuel. This includes snag removal of destroyed whitewoods and sequoias near the giant trees. There are alternatives to be explored. One size does not fit all areas.
We applaud the efforts of the Forest Service to attack the fuels issue. Unfortunately, the remedies are on a smaller scale that we would like to see. We also believe that the current staffing of the USFS in the Monument and on other national forests should be enhanced at a faster pace. Increased hiring has its own problems. Training new-hires could be problematic. There is an experienced gap that must be dealt with. Perhaps this is something you may wish to explore.
I will contact you regarding our visit to the south Sierra towards the end of July.
Great article providing some historical perspective. Today's fuel conditions, and probability of catastrophic fires are probably greater than in 1297.Though fire is natural, the accumulation of fuels during a period of drought/climate change, has created fire hazzards that are a real threat to existing Giant Sequoias over four feet dbh. There is no doubt that Giant Sequoias will regenerate. Consider this, If our goal is to do the best we can to preserve the giant monarchs that haven't been destroyed, we need forest management in the form of thinning white woods and using prescribed fire on a landscape wide basis.
Timber production is not the goal of Camp 70. Our goal is to preserve the giant trees that havent yet been destroyed. The big trees are dwindling and they must be protected. Whitewood removal and prescribed fire on a large scale will help us preserve the big trees. These management tools are just that--tools to help preserve the big trees. The larger vegetation must be removed following thinnings. Piling and burning of the thinned material has limited utility. Controlled fire alone can't be used on areas of heavy fuel without removals of the thinned/removed fuel. This includes snag removal of destroyed whitewoods and sequoias near the giant trees. There are alternatives to be explored. One size does not fit all areas.
We applaud the efforts of the Forest Service to attack the fuels issue. Unfortunately, the remedies are on a smaller scale that we would like to see. We also believe that the current staffing of the USFS in the Monument and on other national forests should be enhanced at a faster pace. Increased hiring has its own problems. Training new-hires could be problematic. There is an experienced gap that must be dealt with. Perhaps this is something you may wish to explore.
I will contact you regarding our visit to the south Sierra towards the end of July.
RonCerruti
Camp 70 Foresters
(925) 915-1669
Thanks, Ron
I hope we can meet up!
Great reporting Claudia.
Amazing historical lesson learned from nature!