Dolan Fire Noxious Invasive Weed Assessment for BAER Los Padres National Forest

Fire Name/Number: Dolan Fire, CA-LPF-002428 Forest: Los Padres National Forest (NF) Date: October 4, 2020 Author: Patrick Lieske, Forest Biologist, Los Padres NF

I. Potential Values at Risk

The Dolan Fire burned within the Los Padres National Forest (NF) the Monterey Ranger District. Private in-holdings within the forest, as well as state and private lands outside the forest were also burned. The fire started near Dolan Creek just outside the forest administrative boundary on August 18, 2020 and burned onto National Forest System (NFS) lands that same day. The fire is still uncontained, as of October 4, 2020, and has currently burned 124,924 acres, with 81,782 acres occurring on NFS lands.

Many non-native plants are found in California wildlands, but some are much more invasive and noxious than others. Noxious weeds have spiny or sharp parts which can be hazardous or annoying to humans and livestock. Invasive weeds are very effective at occupying disturbed soil and displacing native plants and habitat. Non-native invasive weeds have the potential to displace native vegetation, degrade habitat function, and lower ecosystem stability. Ecological stability relates to the value of native plant communities for wildlife habitat and watershed function.

The potential values at risk, in relation to invasive noxious weeds are the ecological stability of native plant communities and the degradation of Region 5 Sensitive plant habitat:

A. The Dolan Fire impacted a variety of different plant communities and environments. The major plant communities found within the fire area are:

• Chaparral • Coastal Sage Scrub • Oak Woodland • Riparian Woodland • Redwood Forest • Mixed Evergreen Forest • Mixed Conifer Forest

B. The R5 Sensitive Plants with potential to be affected by noxious weeds are:

• Santa Lucia fir (Abies bracteata) • Little Sur manzanita (Arctostaphylos edmundsii) • Jolon clarkia (Clarkia jolonensis) • Tear drop moss (Dacryophyllum falcifolium) • Monterey larkspur (Delphinium hutchinsoniae) • Umbrella larkspur (Delphinium umbraculorum)

DOLAN FIRE BAER - Specialist Report – Noxious Weeds 1 • Butterworth's buckwheat (Eriogonum butterworthianum) • Santa Lucia Horkelia (Horkelia yadonii) • Santa Lucia dwarf rush (Juncus luciensis) • Arroyo Seco bush mallow (Malacothamnus palmeri var. lucianus) • Carmel Valley malacothrix (Malacothrix saxatilis var. arachnoidea) • Kellman's bristle moss (Orthotrichum kellmanii) • Dudley's lousewort (Pedicularis dudleyi) • Slender pentachaeta (Pentachaeta exilis ssp. aeolica) • Hooked popcorn flower (Plagiobothrys uncinatus) • Hickman's checkerbloom (Sidalcea hickmanii ssp. hickmanii)

All of these species have occurrences on or adjacent to dozer and/or hand lines constructed during the incident.

C. During the Dolan Fire, at least 31.4 miles of dozer line and over 7 miles of hand line were constructed on NFS lands, with a large proportion occurring in the Ventana Wilderness. This opens large areas of the Wilderness to invasion by noxious weeds, which will have a negative effect on the natural quality of wilderness character.

II. Resource Condition Assessment

A. Resource Setting

Many noxious weeds are known to occur within the Dolan Fire area, but there are five that dominate the landscape (Table 1).

Table1. Most Common Noxious Weeds Known in and Adjacent to the Dolan Fire Area Scientific Name Common Name Carduus pycnocephalus Italian thistle Centaurea melitensis Tocalote Centaurea solstitialis Yellow starthistle Cortaderia jubata Jubata grass Delairea odorata Cape ivy Genista monspessulana French broom Tamarix ramosissima Tamarisk Short species summaries for each of these weeds are located in Appendix A

Italian thistle is known from the northeastern side of the fire near Chew’s Ridge off both private and public land where much dozer line was constructed. A large section of dozer line and some hand line were constructed from this area through the Ventana Wilderness. Italian thistle is also found along the coast on the western side of the fire.

Tocalote is found north of the Indians Special Interest Area where dozer lines constructed into the Ventana Wilderness north along the Arroyo Seco River were started. It is also found at the northern end of these dozer lines in the Arroyo Seco area. Tocalote is known to be in the Piney area on the northeast side of the

DOLAN FIRE BAER - Specialist Report – Noxious Weeds 2 fire area which is where dozer lines were constructed west into the Chew’s Ridge area into the Ventana Wilderness.

Yellow starthistle is known primarily and in large infestations from the southeastern side of the fire adjacent to Fort Hunter Liggett (FHL) military reservation. Approximately 25% of FHL is severely (25-100% canopy) infested with yellow starthistle. Records indicate that yellow starthistle was spreading on FHL in the early 1940s, control measures began in 1955, and yellow starthistle was considered “almost uncontrollable” by 1958. Every road used for travel by vehicles and equipment to and from suppression activities is lined with yellow starthistle. Every turnout or ground suitable for driving a vehicle or landing a helicopter is infested with yellow starthistle. From this location dozer and hand lines were constructed north along the Arroyo Seco River Valley through the Ventana Wilderness and west through the Santa Lucia Mountains through the Ventana Wilderness and several Forest Service Sensitive Plant populations.

Jubata grass is found along Highway 1 on the coast and could spread into the foothills where these is any ground disturbance.

Cape ivy is in Brazil Ranch at the extreme northwest edge of the forest in the area affected by the fire and suppression activities. It is also found along Highway 1 on the coast.

French broom is known from several location on the Monterey District including Botcher’s Gap, Big Sur and the valley walls above, North Coast Ridge Road, Arroyo Seco, and in the Carmel Valley on the north perimeter of the district.

Yellow starthistle is also found south of Anderson Peak on the North Coast Ridge Road. From here, dozer line was constructed into the Ventana Wilderness east which connected to the dozer line coming out of Fort Hunter Liggett. Also connecting to the dozer lines coming out of Fort Hunter Liggett are the yellow starthistle infestation found in the Arroyo Seco area to the north. Finally, yellow starthistle is also found in the Piney area on the northeast side of the fire leading into the Ventana Wilderness in the Chew’s Ridge area.

Tamarisk is found in riparian habitats along the Arroyo Seco River. This infestation is currently very small but may continue to grow if not removed. Tamarisks seeds could also be carried to other areas since no weed washing of equipment occurred during the incident.

B. Findings

1. Resource Condition Resulting from the Fire

During fire suppression operations, more than 31 miles of dozer line and 7 miles of hand line were constructed on NF. Of this, over 17 miles of dozer line and over 3 miles of hand line were constructed in the Ventana Wilderness. The majority of dozer lines were contingency lines located well away from the fire perimeter. In addition, there are a number of roads within the fire area of operations which could also serve to disperse weed seeds. Dozer lines, drop

DOLAN FIRE BAER - Specialist Report – Noxious Weeds 3 points, and safety zones serve as weed dispersal areas or corridors; and suppression equipment can act as weed vectors. Movement of fire suppression and rehab equipment can disperse and spread noxious weeds to and from areas within the fire and among home units. Dispersal of weeds from fire equipment movement poses a significant risk to post-fire regeneration of native plant communities. Roadsides and dozer lines will be most impacted by this threat.

Forest Service policy requires washing of all equipment mobilizing onto wildfires, to prevent the introduction of noxious weeds into the burned area during suppression activities. Because of the rapid assembly of resources and extreme fire behavior, no equipment was washed during early mobilization and no arriving equipment was washed during the duration of the incident. A weed washing station was ordered once the Incident Management Team took over the fire, but only departing equipment was washed. Equipment such as water tenders, engines, dozers, and excavators were not washed or inspected or cleaned for dirt/plant parts during movement within the fire during suppression and rehabilitation efforts. Because of this, we have no way of knowing if noxious weed seeds were introduced to roadsides and dozer lines within the fire area. Additionally, crews working on the fire were brought in from other areas known to have other potential non-native invasive weed problems

The BAER team used information on known infestations in the fire area and attempted to confirm or discover during post-fire surveys. However, existing weed populations could have been present within the burned area, but because of the time of year (summer) and the recent fire, evidence wasn’t easily observable.

Significantly, the over 31 miles of dozer line constructed on the Los Padres NF passed near or through several populations of Forest Service Sensitive plants. This did two things. First, it removed both plants and the seed bank from areas where the dozers worked. This could significantly affect the recovery of native vegetation including Forest Service Sensitive species. Second, it opened the habitat occupied by Forest Service Sensitive species to invasion by noxious weed species on the newly exposed bare soil.

Additionally, over 17 miles of dozer line and over 3 miles of hand line were constructed in the Ventana Wilderness. This opens the wilderness to a higher potential for invasion by noxious weeds and could result in negative effects on natural ecosystem dynamics that are critical to wilderness character.

2. Consequences of the Fire on Values at Risk

If any weeds were/are introduced, they could take advantage of the disturbance associated with the fire and displace native vegetation, degrade habitat function, lower ecosystem stability, and reduce Forest Service Sensitive species populations.

III. Emergency Determination

The unknowing introduction of noxious weeds into areas disturbed by fire suppression and suppression repair has the potential to establish persistent weed populations and presents a high

DOLAN FIRE BAER - Specialist Report – Noxious Weeds 4 risk to values at risk. These persistent invasive weed populations could affect the structure and habitat function of plant communities within the burn area. Forest Service direction is to minimize the establishment of non-native invasive species to prevent unacceptable degradation of the burned area. Consequently, delayed assessment of roads, dozer lines, hand lines, drop points, and safety zones is necessary to detect the spread and introduction of weeds in the first year after fire. Assessing the establishment of weeds and treating small outlying populations before they expand will prevent the weeds from becoming serious threats to the recovery of native plants including Forest Service Sensitive species.

IV. Treatments to Mitigate the Emergency

A. Treatment Type The treatment is noxious weed detection surveys of all roads, dozer lines, drop points, and safety zones affected by the Dolan Fire on NFS lands. These areas will be surveyed for evidence of introduction or spread of noxious weeds. If any new or outlying populations are found, these will be mapped and documented for future treatment and where possible hand treatments will be applied at the same time the surveys are conducted.

B. Treatment Objective Evaluate and control the potential for noxious weed establishment and spread, in all areas affected by the Dolan Fire suppression activities.

C. Treatment Description Inspect all areas and monitor for newly established weed occurrences or the introduction of new non-native invasive species. Monitoring will include documentation and hand pulling small new weed occurrences at the time of inspection. New weed occurrences will be pulled to root depth, placed in sealed plastics bags, and properly disposed. Additionally, tamarisk infestations can be treated with herbicide as per the soon to be completed tamarisk removal environmental impact statement (EIS).

Documentation of new infestations will include:

• GPS negative and positive inspection results • Incorporate data into GIS spatial database - NRIS • Establish photo points • Map perimeter of new infestation • Estimate number of plants per square meter • Treatment method • Dates of treatment • Evaluate success in subsequent inspection

Inspections and monitoring should be accomplished during April/August 2021. Based upon the first year’s survey, additional surveying may be requested for up to three years. BAER funding is only requested for the first year after fire.

DOLAN FIRE BAER - Specialist Report – Noxious Weeds 5 D. Treatment Cost GS –11 Botanist/Resource Officer $ 358 /day x 7 days = $2,506 GS – 9 Botanist/Biologist (2) $291/day x 1.5 pay periods (15 days) x 2 = $8,730 GS – 5 Bio Tech (2) $225/day x 1.5 pay periods (15 days) x 2 = $6,750 Mileage: 1500 miles @ 0.45/mile = $675 Per Diem 15 days @ $216/day = $3,240 Total Cost Estimate for FY 2021 = $21,901

V. Discussion/Summary/Recommendations

Continue monitoring surveys, post BAER funding, to ensure complete weed eradication.

VI. References

California Invasive Plant Council, 1442-A Walnut St., #462 Berkeley, CA 94709 www.cal-ipc.org/

VII. Appendix

APPENDIX A

Invasive Noxious Weed Profiles

Carduus pycnocephalus - Italian Thistle Italian thistle is a winter annual herb that originated in western and southern Europe. It has wind dispersed, mucilaginous seeds, which allows for their wide distribution. Italian thistle displaces desirable native plants, but more commonly colonizes disturbed habitats where interspecific competition is less intense. Fire creates conditions that are favorable to the establishment of Italian thistle (i.e. open canopy, reduced competition, areas of bare soil). Therefore, if Italian thistle seeds are present and competition minimal, it may be favored in the post-fire community. Cultivation before seed production will eventually eliminate thistles, but only if repeated for several years since seeds can persist in the soil for at least 8 years.

Centaurea melitensis - Tocalote Tocalote is closely related to, and very similar to Yellow Starthistle. It can spread rapidly to become dense infestations that are nearly impossible to treat. These invasions displace native plants and animals, threatening natural ecosystems and nature reserves. Long-term ingestion by horses causes a neurological disorder known as chewing disease, a lethal lesion of the nigropallidal region of the brain. Both species interfere with grazing and lower yield and forage quality of rangelands, thus increasing the cost of managing livestock. In addition, both plants reduce land value and limit access to recreational areas.

Centaurea solstitialis - Yellow Starthistle Yellow starthistle is a winter annual that can form dense impenetrable stands that displace desirable vegetation in natural areas, rangelands, and other places. It is best adapted to open

DOLAN FIRE BAER - Specialist Report – Noxious Weeds 6 grasslands with deep well-drained soils. Yellow starthistle originated from southern Europe but was introduced from Chile to California during the gold rush. It has spread rapidly since the mid- 1900s and is now estimated to infest 15-20 million acres in California and a couple of additional million acres in other western states.

Cortaderia jubata – Jubata Grass Jubata grass is a large perennial grass found along the coast of California and the Coast Ranges. It is found on dunes, bluff, and disturbed areas including inland where fog helps moderate temperatures. Jubata grass is native to South America and was introduced as an ornamental and for erosion control. Each flowering plume produces up to 100,000 seeds that are widely disbursed by wind and quickly colonizes bare ground. Cape ivy reproduces vegetatively in California where it grows rapidly during the growing season and only a very small amount is needed for recovery after mechanical treatments. Cape ivy is originally from South Africa.

Delairea odorata – Cape Ivy Cape Ivy is a long-lived perennial vine that climes over vegetation producing a dense cover that shades and smothers everything underneath. Weight can sometimes cause trees to fall. Where cape ivy dominates, plant species richness is greatly reduced and fauna habitat negatively affected. Flowers and foliage are toxic to animals and contain compounds that decrease fish survival.

Genista monspessulana - French Broom French broom is a large evergreen shrub native to the Mediterranean region and the Azores. French broom is rated as a “C” Pest on the State Noxious Weed List. It is spread almost exclusively by seed which are produced and large amounts once it reaches 2 feet in height. Pods open explosively, flinging seeds up to 4 m, and seeds are further dispersed by ants, birds, and animals, and in river water and rain wash, in mud, and on road grading or maintenance machinery. It also sprouts vigorously after cutting, freezing, or sometimes fire. Foliage and seed are toxic to livestock. It burns readily and acts as a ladder fuel carrying fire into the canopy. It establishes a dense long-lived seedbank making it hard to eradicate. Early detection and removal followed by rigorous monitoring can prevent establishment of new populations. Existing populations require a rigorous and long-term use of chemicals for successful eradication.

Tamarix ramosissima - Tamarisk Tamarisk or salt cedar is an invasive shrub/tree from Asia that infests stream banks and disturbed sites such as burned areas. The presence of tamarisk is associated with dramatic changes in geomorphology, groundwater availability, soil chemistry, fire frequency, plant community composition, and native wildlife diversity. Geomorphological impacts include trapping and stabilizing alluvial sediments, which results in narrowing of stream channels and more frequent flooding. Soil salinities increase as a result of inputs of salt from glands on tamarisk leaves.

DOLAN FIRE BAER - Specialist Report – Noxious Weeds 7