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News Release:
Hells Half Complex Area Open to Public - Portion of South Fork Trail Remains Closed
[Shield]: US Forest Service

US Forest Service
Six Rivers National Forest

Contact:
Julie Ranieri
(707) 441-3673
jranieri@fs.fed.us

Eureka, September 15, 2008

The public can now access the Hells Half Complex fire area in the Lower Trinity River Ranger District, Six Rivers National Forest, according to District Ranger Ann Garland. The Forest order closing this area was terminated due to control of the Complex fires. National Forest System Trail No. 5E23 (South Fork Trail), from its intersection with Forest Road No. 5N03, south to its intersection with Gary Creek will remain closed due down logs along the trail.

There are possible hazards within the fire areas that may pose a risk to hunters, campers, hikers and other recreation users. A standard hazard is recognizing the increased potential of burned trees being weakened and falling. The public should park vehicles and establish campsites accordingly. Rocks and debris can and will become easily dislodged and will fall into the roadway, especially in inclement weather. Forest Service System roads within the fire are not maintained on a daily basis. Although the closure has been lifted, the public needs to take appropriate steps to determine where private land is, and obtain permissions if access on private land is desired.

The Hells Half Complex started from lightning on June 20th and burned a total of 15,146 acres. This was mostly a low to moderate intensity fire, with relatively few acres of high intensity fire. The ground has retained most of its organic litter and in areas where the canopy burned; a thick layer of needles is already beginning to cover the soil. Due to the largely intact canopy, presence of organic soil cover, retention of soil structure, no detrimental effects to soil productivity or hydrologic function are anticipated.

Low to moderate intensity wildfires result in multiple benefits to the ecosystem as well as a benefit to firefighting efforts. These types of wildfires can enhance wildlife habitat, forage, and browse, along with improving the diversity of the structure and composition of plant communities. Future firefighting efforts are also improved through the removal of excess understory and ladder vegetation, which could reduce suppression costs and hazardous air quality impacts.

Fire suppression repair of hand and dozer lines built during the fire is ongoing. A Burn Area Emergency Rehabilitation (BAER) Assessment completed determined that no channel, road or trail, and protection/safety treatments or monitoring is necessary. An initial request was made for BAER funds to assess noxious weed introduction and spread. Invasive weeds treatment includes invasive weed detection assessment of dozer lines and access routes within the fire perimeter, including manual treatment of any detected occurrences. The intent of these treatments would be to prevent the establishment and spread of existing infestations of yellow star-thistle and other invasive plant species of concern within the fire perimeters. Treatments would occur in summer of 2009.

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