Fire is an essential part of the Sierra Nevada ecology! The longer we’re here and working the land, the more obvious it is that these plants depend on fire to clear underbrush and “reset”.
So what’s one to do on the urban-wildland interface, with decades’ overgrown forests, in the face of wildfire and climate change?
(Side note – while climate change of course has an impact, even without it, we would likely have the same overstocking problem today, thanks to USFS policies adopted 120 years ago to put out any and all wildfires…the “forest stocking” today is vastly departed from the past – ideally, one could drive a truck or play Frisbee in between trees in the forest at only ~8/acre!)
BURN IT ALL DOWN.
We are using the best and most effective preventative tool we have to defend our stationary homes against wildfire…more fire! Not only does burning help deal with fire fuels, it’s good for the forest, and actually tends to be much ‘gentler’ than other options like masticating. And, it’s honoring the traditions of the native Maidu people – the original stewards of Plumas land.
Native, fire adapted plants have long, deep roots that stay protected and cool underground during low to moderate intensity/severity fires, while the crown is cleared to start anew next season. “Broadcast burning” serves the purpose of breaking down dead or dying litter, opening up the dirt to oxygen and sunlight, and less competition/more space for native plants.
So don’t be surprised if you see black spots, or even entire sections of property that have been burned – it was intentional! By engaging in “prescribed fire”/”broadcast burn” practices, we’re able to pick the best conditions to burn, which allows us to have some control over how much smoke is produced, where that smoke ends up, how severe/intense the flames are, which trees/plants are allowed to burn, etc.
Questions, comments, concerns? Feel free to ask Lynda – she’s more than happy to nerd out on CA’s fire ecology.
CalFire page on Prescribed Burning
CARX Insurance Fund press release
Plumas Underburn Cooperative (PUC)
CalPBA (Prescribed Burn Association)
Last updated: July 5th, 2023
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