Wildfires in Wilderness Areas ~ Cycle of Fire & Recovery
Wildfires have always occurred in the Oregon Cascades in what
are now wilderness areas. The Wilderness Act allows fire suppression,
but does not allow people to interfere with the natural recovery
of these areas. No timber harvest or replanting is allowed.
Plants starting to regrow in burned area ~ Summer 2004
|
The 2003 B&B fire -- the biggest fire in the area since 1934
-- burned nearly 40,500 acres of the Mt Jefferson Wilderness. The
Puzzle
Fire in
2006 burned
6,348 acres.
In spite of the devastation, it has also given the
public and scientists an
opportunity
to study
the natural process of fire and recovery and its effects on the
ecosystem. The recovery process in this area will take many years.
Historic Cycles
The fires that burned within the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness were
just the latest episode in a cycle of fire and re-growth.
Learn More...
Plants
Wildfires are nature's way to clean the forest of diseases and
insects.After a fire, nutrients in the soil are readily available
for use by regenerating plants. The B&B Fire gives plant ecologists
a chance to learn more about fire adapted ecosystems and plant
succession after different types of fires.
Learn
More ...
Wildlife
Wildfires have substantial and sometimes devastating effects on
wildlife both big and small. But the cycle of recovery starts right
away with an increase in available browse for large mammals, food
and nesting sites for birds, and a forest that is less vulnerable
to
these
catastrophic fires.
Learn More ...
Soil & Water
The building blocks of a healthy ecosystem are soil and water.
Examining the effects of wildfire on soil and water
helps us understand the natural process by which landscapes
are restored
following
fire.
Learn more ...
Social Impacts
The B&B and Puzzle Fires not only had ecological impacts on
the natural systems, but also had social impacts on historic and
recreation
resources. The changes to the landscape from the fire continue
to effect people's use of the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness.
Learn More ...
Next >> |