Closure Order - 2012 Mill Fire
Mendocino National Forest
The Recreation HQ believes it is important for
recreationists to understand just how important forest health fuel projects
(mechanical treatments such as logging or mastication, prescribed fire, fuel
breaks) are as a management tool to help protect recreation facilities (i.e.
trail catch basins, rolling dips, staging areas, etc.) from intense
uncontrolled wildfires that burn mostly in the summer months.
Many of the same regulatory agencies such as EPA and CA
Air Resources Board that govern OHV engine emissions also have regulations that,
for the most part, functionally eliminate
the use of prescribed fire to address excessive fuel loading on Forest
Service, BLM, state, and private lands.
Because forest health projects are so important to both
motorized and non-motorized recreation, I accepted an initiation to join
FireScape Mendocino almost 3 years ago to try and find common ground with other
stakeholders on fuel projects that could help reduce the threat of uncontrolled
intense wildfires that often destroy OHV opportunities at areas such as
Stonyford on the Mendocino National Forest (2012 Mill Fire) and Hull Creek OHV
Area on the Stanislaus (2013 Rim Fire).
Mechanical Treatment
Sierra National Forest
Link to FireScape Mendocino
That interest in forest health is what prompted BRC to
submit a formal comment letter to the EPA on proposed regulations that appear to
only further restrict land managers from using prescribed fire as a management
tool.
Link to March 16, 2015 BRC Letter to EPA (more pics etc.)
It seems that wildfire impacts to recreation and
access to forest lands are often overlooked in the debate. I believe it is time to change that
dynamic.
If you would like to see another article on fuel breaks
(another management tool), you can click on the link below:
Link to QWR Fuel Break Article
Please feel free to leave a comment and share your views
on this subject.
Thanks for your interest!
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