RIM FIRE RECOVERY UPDATE 0 c (}) From the Desk of the j z ~ c Forest Supervisor Gl I z

It's been almost a year since 's third largest on re­ cord roared through the hills of the Stanislaus National Forest, Yosem­ ite National Park and private timberlands. In the aftermath of that 400 square mile blaze, the Stan­ islaus National Forest and our partners are beginning the A BAER team m Fire: mitigation process that will make those burned lands more fire resilient and improve the wildlife habitat on them. The tasks that we and our partners in the Rim Fire The Big Picture Recovery Project are undertaking will be an opportunity for restoration at a landscape scale. We'll consider the many As soon as access to the fire area was pos­ Forest System (NFS) lands, many of which features and structures that are desirable and sustainable sible, the Stanislaus National Forest (STF) are along roads. for future forested conditions. We're fortunate to see a high brought in a team of resource specialists to In mid-May the Rim Fire Recovery Project level of community involvement. assess the condition of natural resources issued a Draft Rim Recovery Environmental The Rim Fire Recovery Project includes the salvage of affected by the fire. The STF completed the Impact Statement (EIS) for broader scale dead trees to capture their economic value, the removal of Burned Area Emergency Response work to salvage and restoration. The objective is to roadside hazard trees to protect public and worker safety, address imminent hazards. Hundreds of reduce the potential for future catastrophic the reduction of fuels for future forest resiliency, improve­ miles of primary roads have been treated fires by reducing the dead fuel loading creat­ ment of roads for hydrologic function, and, as I said, the to restore ditches, repair or replace culverts ed by the Rim Fire. This includes capturing enhancement of wildlife habitat. and prepare roads for winter weather. Many the economic value of the fire-killed trees The coming fire season promises to be as challenging as archaeological and historic sites were pro­ through timber salvage, before the wood previous ones. conditions throughout much of the tected from additional damage from falling decays beyond market value. Approximately state are mirrored here on the Stanislaus. trees and erosion. Approximately 4,000 45,000 acres ofNFS lands are proposed to Many residents have taken the initiative to create acres were treated with aerial mulching and be included in this project, depending upon defensible space around their property, as well as a fuel 800 acres with ground-based chipping to which EIS alternative is selected. breaks around their communities. These efforts have help protect fragile soils. The STF received funding to repair and paid off in the past when were slowed and even With wildfire as an inevitable and fre­ replace range infrastructure damaged or de­ diverted away from valuable homes and property. The Fire quent presence on the STF, the Rim Fire stroyed by the fire. Over 30 miles of Forest Adapted Communities website (www.fireadapted.org) has Recovery effort is an opportunity to help Service range fence will be rebuilt. Twelve information on how you and your neighbors can join in a forest grow back that is more resilient to livestock water troughs will be replaced. this worthwhile effort. fire. Two phases of the recovery process The STF is coordinating with Yosemite The rest of us can help too, by remembering Smokey are currently underway. In late April the National Park to restore the fence line along Bear's message, "Only you can prevent wildfires." STF authorized the Rim Hazard Tree (HT) their shared boundary, which keeps grazing project for hazard tree removal along 194 cattle out of the Park. miles of roads, recreation facilities, and Reforestation and other resource recovery Wishing you all a safe summer season. areas adjacent to private infrastructures. actions are yet to occur and are expected to The project spans 1,329 acres of National take several years to complete. Susan Skalski Stanislaus National Forest Supervisor On the Road to Recovery with Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER)

hen a large scale wildfire, and the presence of ladder fuel. Road Infrastructure: of scientists quickly reviewed the W like the Rim Fire, burns an Heavy fuel buildups allow for the • Drainage restored on 64 miles burned area to assess the damage area, many resources are affected. rapid spread of fire. With continu- of paved roads and 249 miles of so that they could devise a holistic Since last fall, the US Forest Service ous fuels, the flames can readily native surfaced roads. plan to restore order and forest has been working to restore order extend from the forest floor into • Conducted storm patrols on 159 health. The accomplishments men- to the damage that occurred. Our the tree crowns. Numerous downed miles of roads to watch for unusu- tioned above reflect some of the recovery accomplishments, along trees can impact wildlife corridors. ally high water flows. work that has been underway since with the impacted resources, are They also create safety hazards for last fall. Additional temporary highlighted below. people. Trees with weakened timber • Replaced and upsized 228 culverts employees will soon be supplying Soils can sustain damage due to are often called widow-makers due and installed 86 drop inlets to more brain power as well as muscle over-heating causing a condition to their inclination for falling and improve culverts. to the recovery effort. Botanists, known as hydrophobicity or “water harming those nearby, hence the • Out-sloped 23 miles of roads to wildlife biologists, foresters and fearing.” Water beads up on the sur- temporary forest closures you are improve drainage and installed archaeologists are amongst those face of these soils rather than soak- now experiencing. 342 rolling dips to improve road ready to assist in the recovery effort. ing in as it normally would. Erosion With so many resources being drainage. The US Forest Service wants you to and sedimentation can become impacted at once during the Rim know that they are working hard at an issue as ash and repelled water Fire, the US Forest Service would Public Safety and restoring the much loved Stanislaus flow down burnt hillsides instead like to highlight just a few of their Protecting Our Heritage: National Forest. As many commu- of being absorbed by the soil and Burned Area Emergency Response nity members have already voiced, • 28 gates installed to control entry forest debris like leaves, pine needles (BAER) accomplishments to date: “We are all in this thing together,” into hazardous areas. and small twigs. Some watersheds or and forest officials are ensuring that stream runoff areas are more affected • Hazard trees felled on 391 miles of your public servants are taking a Water Quality and will take one or more seasons to roads, along 25 miles of trails and front seat on the road to recovery. & Soil Productivity: stabilize. How quickly slopes green- from around 17 recreational sites. LOOKING to HELP? up and provide protective ground • Aerially mulched over 4,000 acres • Installed 3,280 feet of rock barri- Visit the calendar on our website: cover is a key factor. of hillsides with rice straw. ers to protect cultural and historic www.fs.usda.gov/main/stanislaus/ In hotter portions of the fire, trees • Chipped over 800 acres and used sites from off-road vehicles. workingtogether are also more heavily impacted. the material as a soil stabilizer. Recovering in the aftermath and click on dates for details High tree density can equal high • Installed 96 water bars to help with of a large fire takes time, brawn of volunteer opportunities. tree mortality due to crown closure runoff as well as 37 armored dips. and brains. An assessment team RIM FACTS STANISLAUS 108 EMIGRANT Fire started on Aug. 17, 2013 NATIONAL FOREST to necrest WILDERNESS Know Before You Go! Pi WILDERNESS Cherry Lake S Fk. Lake and was human caused. Stanislaus Long Many forest closures are in effect until Nov. 18, 2014. Barn The area around Cherry Lake was burned 257,314 acres burned of Mi-Wuk 31 Visit www.fs.usda.gov/goto/rimfirerecovery Village Clavey River by the Rim Fire and is currently closed to which, 154,530 were on to obtain current closure data before visiting YOSEMITE Richardson the public. STF lands. Mi-Wok Ranger WILDERNESS Mtn. Half of the acres burned on Stanislaus National Forest. Travel information can Twain District Office Harte 2 days in mid-August during also be obtained by calling the US Forest Service Creek a “fire-storm”. at 209-532-3671. Reynolds 31 Kibbie Mtn. Example: on Aug. 22, 49 Stanislaus National Forest Supervisors Mono Camp Mather 51,827 acres burned in Office 14 Creek Cherry YOSEMITE Sonora Vista Lake Firefighters were able to defend this historic one day consuming approxi- Lake NATIONAL PARK tish publication is also available Tuolumne mately 81 sq. mi. 108 Indian Eleanor family camp, owned and run by the City of San

online in pdf format at Rancheria Reed Duckwall Fire was contained on Oct. 24. www .3forests.us/rimfire Tuolumne Rd. Ridge Francisco. It is open for the summer 2014 season. Tuolumne 14 Duckwall Visit www.campmather.com for more information. It cost approximately Jamestown Mountain Woods $127 million dollars in Ridge Hetch Wards Creek Hetchy Res. suppression efforts. Jawbone Area 17 31 At its peak, 5,000 person- On Aug. 17, 2013, the Rim Fire started in the Ferry nel were battling the blaze Jawbone area of Stanislaus National Forest. The Tuolumne Tioga Road River Clavey River

or supporting those on the Rd. 17

fire, which burned 257,314 acres, was human Jawbone North Mtn. The Tioga Road was closed for a brief period ground. Harden Lake Camp during the height of the Rim Fire, limiting access Restabilizing the area caused. It is noted for being the third largest fire Mather Ferretti Rd. through BAER has cost in the history of California. Recovery efforts are 12 to . It is now reopened 120 about $10 million dollars. still underway. Please remember that recovering Pine Mtn. Ridge completely from Crane Flat to Lee Vining. Lake Jawbone Rim Fire is the third largest from any large event takes time. 49 Groveland 120 fire in California history. Big Oak Rim of the 17 World Vista Flat 120 12 Park benches at Pinecrest dustin vaughn Big Oak Flat Rd. Groveland Ranger Lake have been fashioned District Office Tioga Rd. from cedar wood recovered The Groveland Ranger from the Rim Fire. District Office was under Glosars y siege when the Rim Fire burned through the area BAER – Burned Area Don Pedro last August. Information Res. Emergency Response Crane Flat Big Oak Flat Rd. VALLEYVALLEY GPS – Global Positioning about the district can be System; a small device that obtained by calling Coulterville Rim of the World Lookout YOSEMITEYOSEMITE uses satellites for accurately (209)-962-7825. From this vista point along Highway 120 you Merced River pinpointing things on the R. Merced can view the Tuolumne Wild & Scenic River earth’s surface. Lake which was McClure corridor. 2014 summer rafting season on the Snag – Standing dead tree 140 Rd. Rim Fire N Fork El Portal impacted by the Rim Fire, is now open. Tuolumne River is currently in full swing. 41 that is often unstable; scary This area was designated as a World for humans but can be used Highways Tuolumne Wild & Scenic River by wildlife. 49 Heritage Site in 1984. Other Major Roads Sedimentation - is the ten- Rim Fire BAER Rim Fire Rim Fire BAER Dra EA EA Decision EA Dra EIS Dra EIS Scheduled release dency for floating particles Emigrant Wilderness starts treatments Recovery contained Implement- released Signed Project Comment Comment of nal EIS to settle out of the fluid in 8/17/13 begin Team 10/24/13 ation Team 4/25/14 begins Period Period ends & Record of which they are suspended, Tuolumne Wild & Scenic River appointed leaves starts 5/16 mid-June Decision to rest against an object 0 1 2 3 4 5 like a rock or other barrier. Miles AUGUST 2013 SEPTEMBER 2013 OCTOBER 2013 NOVEMBER 2013 MARCH 2014 APRIL 2014 MAY 2014 JUNE 2014 JULY 2014 AUGUST 2014 STANISLAUS 108 rest EMIGRANT NATIONAL FOREST to e WILDERNESS Know Before You Go! Pinec WILDERNESS Cherry Lake S Fk. Long Lak Many forest closures are in effect until Nov. 18, 2014. Stanislaus Mi-Wuk Barn The area around Cherry Lake was burned 31 Visit www.fs.usda.gov/goto/rimfirerecovery Village Clavey River by the Rim Fire and is currently closed to to obtain current closure data before visiting YOSEMITE Richardson the public. Mi-Wok Ranger WILDERNESS Mtn. Stanislaus National Forest. Travel information can Twain District Office also be obtained by calling the US Forest Service Harte Creek at 209-532-3671. Reynolds 31 Kibbie Mtn. 49 Stanislaus National Forest Supervisors Mono Camp Mather Office 14 Creek Cherry YOSEMITE Sonora Vista Lake Firefighters were able to defend this historic Lake Tuolumne NATIONAL PARK 108 Indian Eleanor family camp, owned and run by the City of San

Rancheria Reed Duckwall Tuolumne Rd. Ridge Francisco. It is open for the summer 2014 season. Tuolumne 14 Duckwall Visit www.campmather.com for more information. Jamestown Mountain Woods Ridge Hetch Wards Creek Hetchy Res. Jawbone Area 17 31 On Aug. 17, 2013, the Rim Fire started in the Ferry

Jawbone area of Stanislaus National Forest. The Tuolumne lavey River Tioga Road

River C Tuolumne River Rd. 17

fire, which burned 257,314 acres, was human Jawbone North Mtn. The Tioga Road was closed for a brief period Harden Lake Camp during the height of the Rim Fire, limiting access caused. It is noted for being the third largest fire Mather Ferretti Rd. in the history of California. Recovery efforts are 12 to Tuolumne Meadows. It is now reopened 120 still underway. Please remember that recovering Pine Mtn. Ridge completely from Crane Flat to Lee Vining. Lake Jawbone from any large event takes time. 120 49 Groveland 17 Big Oak Rim of the shutterstock World Vista Flat 120 12 Big Oak Flat Rd. Groveland Ranger District Office Tioga Rd. The Groveland Ranger District Office was under siege when the Rim Fire burned through the area Don Pedro last August. Information Res. Crane Flat Big Oak Flat Rd. about the district can be VALLEYVALLEY obtained by calling Coulterville Rim of the World Lookout YOSEMITEYOSEMITE (209)-962-7825. From this vista point along Highway 120 you Merced River canR. Merced view the Tuolumne Wild & Scenic River Lake Yosemite National Park which was McClure corridor. 2014 summer rafting season on the 140 Glacier Point Rd. N Fork El Portal impacted by the Rim Fire, is now open. Tuolumne River is currently in full swing. 41 This area was designated as a World Tuolumne Wild & Scenic River 49 Heritage Site in 1984.

Rim Fire BAER Rim Fire Rim Fire BAER Dra EA EA Decision EA Dra EIS Dra EIS Scheduled release starts treatments Recovery contained Implement- released Signed Project Comment Comment of nal EIS 8/17/13 begin Team 10/24/13 ation Team 4/25/14 begins Period Period ends & Record of appointed leaves starts 5/16 mid-June Decision

AUGUST 2013 SEPTEMBER 2013 OCTOBER 2013 NOVEMBER 2013 MARCH 2014 APRIL 2014 MAY 2014 JUNE 2014 JULY 2014 AUGUST 2014 asse me ag from smokey It’s Dry Out There! Smokey Bear has been remind- ing the public to help prevent wildland fires since the mid 1900’s. Though everyone tends

to think of Smokey as a fictional usfs character, he actually was a bear living in the Lincoln National Forest in New Mexico. The Capitan Fire changed his life forever. The 17,000 acre blaze was escalated by 70 mph winds and not only did it affect Smokey, but it also dangerously trapped 19 firefighters. No one died Historic Jawbone Station was located in the Jawbone Ridge area. but it was a close call. Smokey got singed and suffered burns to his paws. He was found clinging tightly to a burnt pine tree and was shipped Protecting Our Past, For Our Future to a veterinary hospital where he was nursed back to health. Eventually, he moved to the National Zoo and became a well known icon for fire safety. Throughout the world, Smokey’s words still echo as a powerful reminder, “Only you can prevent wildland fires.” waiting discovery in the hollows, As is possible with any large scale event, With the effects of the Amountains and river valleys of our cultural resources can be impacted with 257,314 acre Rim Fire ever national forest are the remnants of past cul- the passage of fire. When this happens, a present in our minds, tures that confront us and remind us of the piece of the historical puzzle can be lost. Smokey’s words are now more centuries-old relationship between people Nineteen hundred known archaeological important than ever. The and the land. These heritage resources hold and historical sites are located within the drought from last year has not clues to past ecosystems, add richness and Rim Fire burned area. Sites include pre- abated. The Forest is at a scant depth to our landscapes, provide links to historic camps, bedrock milling features, 48% of average for precipita- living traditions, and help transform a lithics (flaked stone), historic Forest Ranger tion since Oct. 1, 2013. That beautiful walk in the woods into an unfor- Stations, cabins, logging camps, trestles, means the fuels are tinder-dry. gettable encounter with history. ditches and mines. The Energy Release Compo- The archaeological record indicates that In an effort to maintain that cultural story nent (ERC) which reflects the as far back as 9,000 B.C., people were living line, Burned Area Emergency Response dryness of the fuels is very in the area. The Central (BAER) efforts protected over 400 high risk likely to surpass historical averages. Wildfires tend to get very Sierra Me-Wuk were the most recent Native sites by stabilizing soils, removing hazard large when the ERC soars because it promotes heat levels and American occupants of this area. They lived trees and placing 3,280 feet of protective rock flame lengths that firefighters cannot easily battle. in permanent villages and temporary camps, barriers. Unfortunately, Jawbone Station and Though fires on the landscape can be beneficial for remov- often located near springs or along creeks. the Niagara Trestle were completely burned, ing fuel and creating diverse patches of habitat for wildlife, During the gold rush the area was a busy due to the rapid growth of the fire. large-scale unplanned wildfires can tax resources and put place, occupied by miners, immigrants, The plan for 2014 is to provide archeologi- homes at risk. So if Smokey were to share a few sentences homesteaders, ranchers, dam builders and cal support to the Rim Fire recovery efforts. with us in 2014, they might just be, “It’s dry out there so loggers. The legacy these people left behind The US Forest Service will conduct surveys, please conserve water. Be responsible in the woods and offers crucial insights into the past and monitor known sites and provide additional mindful of restrictions such as the fact that fireworks are reminds us of the “tie that binds” people to protective measures to help ensure that the prohibited in the Stanislaus National Forest.” the land. Like a jigsaw puzzle, each artifact vast cultural history of the area lives on for Visit www.preventwildfireca.org to learn more about and site that these inhabitants left in place, all of us to enjoy, thus providing us with wildfire prevention. helps to tell the heritage story. that special sense of place that history offers. Life on the Wild Side leder-adams mark

How is wildlife habitat affected by fire? Streams used for frog breeding are dif- Every animal has a different adaptive ferent in nature. They tend to be wider and strategy for surviving fires. Some fare better rockier than the tributaries mentioned than others. Burned forests can actually above but they provide critical habitat for be a boon to some species by providing laying egg masses. Frog eggs are deposited critical habitat such as snags and gaps in when the water flow in breeding streams the forest canopy. Herbaceous cover usually slows down. Female frogs use their legs to flourishes after a wildfire and that provides clean off some of the algae and silt so their food for animals like mule deer, rabbits eggs will adhere to the rocks. The remain- and black bear. In the short-term, however, ing algae helps to camouflage the egg mass. acorn crops and plant cover are removed Algae and gently flowing water also serve and that can negatively impact animals as as a kind of amniotic fluid, bathing the they try to fatten up for winter. tiny eggs in oxygen rich water and trans- Let’s look at how some animals survive a porting waste materials away from the wildland fire. Western pond turtles inhabit developing embryos. Excess sedimentation lower elevation ponds and year-round can interfere with egg growth and oxygen The Tuolumne River downstream from Clavey confluence. streams. Some turtles may have died in the exchange. It can also impact food sources fire whereas others survived intact, even such as the fat-rich diatoms which are in dried out pond areas. Turtles tend to prized by frogs. If food supplies become Partnerships at Work leave their summer resting burrows when overly impacted, frogs are forced to seek a wildfire passes through an area, to return out new feeding grounds and that can tax to their favorite pond. This phenomenon their energy reserves. has been witnessed more than once by US The Stanislaus National Forest is well Forest Service biologists and seems like a known for its bat population. Seventeen wise tactical move. By burrowing deep into different species of bat inhabit these the mud, many turtles mountains. They feed The Tuolumne River Trust is taking a major role survived the flames, predominantly on plant in helping with recovery efforts. even when the fire material and insects Partners are the cornerstones in helping rebuild the passed over their favor- caught in mid-air. Stanislaus National Forest after the devastating Rim Fire ite “watering” hole. Bats roost and breed of August 2013. Together they work with families, educa- Frogs, like the Foot- in caves, mine shafts, tors, elected officials and communities to promote envi- hill Yellow-Legged frog, trees and cavities in ronmental stewardship and to engage the public in caring are known to live in the dead trees. Like other for their lands. Rim Fire area. Many animals in the fire area, The Tuolumne River Trust is the voice for the Tuolumne frogs likely escaped most of the bats were River. They promote stewardship of the Tuolumne through: harm by the virtue of probably able to escape education, community outreach and adventures; collabora- the wet stream sites they inhabit. Post-fire the flames and smoke. However, their roost- tion with a diverse array of stakeholders; on-the-ground conditions can impact them through ero- ing and foraging sites were impacted and restoration projects; advocacy and grassroots organizing to sion and sedimentation. It all comes down that can increase the distance they have to demonstrate public support for their work. to lifestyle. Adult and sub-adult frogs spend cover to get to feeding grounds. On their website, www.tuolumne.org, is a video sharing much of their time in small, intermittently Animals have learned to adjust to many post fire images, what they are doing and how you can running tributaries where they hang out different changes that affect their habitat, help, including a donation option that will match your around pools of water. If sedimentation including wildland fire. Survival instincts contribution. builds up in these pools, critical hiding have caused life on the wild side to become In the aftermath of the Rim Fire, the Trust strives to create spots found between rocks can get filled in, very adaptive over time. a landscape that is more resilient to catastrophic wildfires leaving the frogs vulnerable to predators. photo: kimberly peterson through collaboration, volunteer restoration and outreach. When crews consider the dryness of the floor up into the trees. This effect can also fuels, they have to take into account the be pronounced in dense forests where the Fire Behavior 101 length of a drought. Woody debris dries out spacing between trees is narrow. Tightly over time. The longer a drought persists, spaced tree crowns create a ripe scenario ful e S, TOPOGRAPHY & WEATHER the crisper fuels become. Small things like for the formation of crown fires. These are pine needles, leaves and small twigs dry out the most destructive and fastest moving first. During an extended drought, larger fires that crews can encounter. Heavy fuels ildland fires and how big they and larger fuels get parched. Big logs will such as this are further impacted if a lot get are a result of fuel conditions, dry out and become combustible during of dead, dry woody material is stacked up lengthy drought periods whereas fuels on the ground. When ground fires gener- weather and topography. In sizing with a smaller diameter react much more ate enough heat and intensity, this too upW a new start, crews will ask: How steep is quickly to daily fluctuations in humidity. can drive a fire from the forest floor up the terrain? Is the wind gentle or is it howling A pine needle could be brittle-dry during into the tops of the trees. Over half of the the hot part of the afternoon but in the cool burned acres on the Rim Fire occurred in up a steep slope? Is it hot and dry out and how hours just before morning when the relative two days in August last year under these long is the sun shining each day? These are humidity is higher, this type of fuel will extreme conditions. important questions because they affect the quickly absorb ambient moisture, making it Unstable atmospheric conditions can less flammable at that time. Large downed also cause a fire to blow up by creating a length of the burning period. South slopes logs do not recover so quickly. suction-like force similar to that which is receive a lot more solar radiation and heating The Stanislaus National Forest is in an in play when huge thunder cells form. This during the day, making them more fire prone. extended drought along with most of creates a column of smoke that is filled California and the southwestern states. The with ash and burning embers. Heat and Thus it is important to know upon which side same conditions that fueled the Rim Fire intensity fuel the bottom of the column of the mountain, or aspect, the fire is burning. are present as we head into the recreational and unstable atmospheric conditions pro- months of 2014. And there is still plenty of vide the lift, giving us a huge plume. Much woody debris on the ground which brings like a thunder storm, these plumes then us to the next topic: fuels. begin to create their own weather, readily Fuel composition is important. Fires in igniting spot fires with their erratic winds. grasslands tend to move quickly, especially Two plume-dominated runs occurred on if the grass is cured. Often, grasslands are this wildland fire. As a result, on Aug. 21, lacking in larger fuel and it is these big fuels the fire grew 37,639 acres and the next day that sustain the flaming front. Brush creates added an additional 51,827 acres, making it more dramatic fire behavior, especially if the third largest fire in California history. the fuel is tightly spaced. California is noted When a forest burns with such speed and for its chaparral, a shrub ecosystem com- intensity there is very little fire crews can prised of such things as chamise, manza- do to stop the blaze. Flame lengths can soar nita, ceanothus and drought tolerant oaks. up to several hundred feet and often sound Interwoven branches, low fuel moisture like the roar of a jet engine. Stopping a fire levels and dried twigs and leaves can create storm of this nature is rather like trying to clint gould very flammable conditions. The horizontal stop a hurricane. continuity of the fuel bed allows for rapid Hand crews are most effective when the rates of spread, especially in steep terrain. flames are less than 4 feet tall. Engines, It also greatly inhibits firefighting efforts. with water support, and air attack can As these brushy areas transition into assist to some degree to help protect key lower elevation forests, the interwoven areas with retardant drops and much nature of the fuel bed adds a layer of com- needed water. An ounce of prevention is plexity. Woody ground debris and shrub- truly worth a pound of cure, so please bery can then begin to act like ladder fuel, recreate safely while in the mountains carrying fire from the surface of the forest this summer.

Produced in cooperation with the USDA Cover Image: ©2012 Preston Birdwell Forest Service, which is an equal oppor- Many thanks to USFS employee, Dustin Vaughn tunity service provider and employer. for use of his exceptional photos. Publication Design by David Design