Title: Arizona Wildfires: The effects on trails
1Arizona Wildfires The effects on trails
and how to begin
Mitigation and
Reconstruction
2Presentation Outline
- AZ Wildfire History
- Trails in Arizona
- Impacts to Trails from Wildfires
- Post-Fire Trail Mitigation Measures
3AZ Wildfire History
- Wildfires were once common in Arizona
- The historic natural fire regimes were
- Pinyon-Juniper Woodlands every 10-30 years
- Ponderosa Pine Communities every 2-10 years
- Mix-Conifer Forests every 5-25 years
- Spruce-Fir Forests 150 years
- Type and intensity of historic wildfires
- Frequent, low-intensity surface fires
- Fire-dependent ecosystems
4AZ Wildfire History
- Whats changed AZs natural fire regime?
- Arrival of Anglo-Americans
- Roads and trails broke up forest fuels continuity
- Livestock grazing / Logging
- Fire suppression by land management agencies
- Climatic Differences (Drought) / Global Warming
- Subsequent affects to the land and wildfires
- Altered forest composition and structure
- Greater build-up of organic materials (fuels)
- Larger, more intense catastrophic wildfires
5Avg. 191,000 ac. / yr (based on 1990-2005)
ARIZONA
Larger, More Intense and Damaging Wildfires
As of 9/11/2007
6AZ Trail
7Trails in Arizona
- ASP lists over 600 trails statewide
- Thousands of miles of trails / routes
- Many different types / classes of trails
- Trails located in many different types of
ecosystems and land jurisdictions
8Impacts to Trails From Wildfires
- Loss of Vegetation (trees, shrubs,
bushes, grasses, ground cover, etc.) - Insect Infestation / Noxious Weeds
- Soil Erosion (hydrophobic soils and significant
surface runoff / washouts) - Loss of Trail Structures (THs, toilets, signs,
water bars, aesthetics, trail integrity, etc.)
9Post-Fire Trail Mitigation Measures
- Burned Area Emergency Response Process
- Trail Assessment (safety concerns, damage report)
- Develop Post-Fire Trail Mitigation Strategy
- Post-Fire Trail Mitigation Techniques
10Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Process
- BAER teams are comprised of hydrologists, soil
scientists, engineers, biologists,
archaeologists, range conservationists,
silviculturists, and other specialists. - Primary objective is to protect life, property,
water quality, and deteriorated ecosystems. - When appropriate, an agency administrator
requests a BAER team, usually before a fire is
contained.
11Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER)
Process(continued)
- Primary goal of the BAER team is to generate a
Rehab Plan for approval and implementation - Determine if emergency resource or human health
and safety conditions exist. - Alleviate emergency conditions to help stabilize
soil control water, sediment and debris
movement prevent impairment of ecosystems
mitigate significant threats to health, safety,
life, property downstream values at risk. - Monitor the implementation and effectiveness of
emergency treatments. Typically 12-month
timeline.
12Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER)
Process(continued)
- What BAER may do
- Install water or erosion control devices
- Plant for erosion control or stability reasons.
- Install temporary barriers to protect
treated/recovering areas. - Install warning signs.
- Replace minor safety related facilities.
- Install appropriate-sized drainage features on
roads and trails. - Remove critical safety hazards.
- Plant grass to prevent spread of noxious weeds.
- What BAER cannot do
- Replant commercial forests or grass for forage.
- Excavate and interpret cultural sites.
- Install interpretive signs.
- Replace burned buildings, bridges, corrals, etc.
- Repair roads damaged by floods after fire.
- Treat pre-existing noxious weeds.
13Post-Fire Trail Assessment
- Things to look for
- Safety Concerns
- Current
- Future
- Trail Damage
- Extent
- Severity
- Cost Estimate
14Post-Fire Trail Mitigation Measures
- First Steps
- Secure the Area
- Post warning / safety signs.
- Remove hazard trees.
- Inform the Public
- News Releases
- Television
- Radio
- Newspaper
- Town Hall Meetings
15Post-Fire Trail Mitigation Strategy
- Three General Approaches
- Decommission trail for safety and resource
concerns/issues. - Repair / reconstruct the trail at its current
location. - Reroute trail or portions of the trail to a
better location.
16Post-Fire Trail Mitigation Considerations
- Questions to Ask
- What are the elements of the reconstruction
project? - Will it require NEPA to reconstruct
the trail? - How will we accomplish the work (i.e. in-house,
contract, grants, volunteers, etc.)?
17Post-Fire Trail Mitigation Reconstruction
Measures
- Seed / Mulch Dispersal Aerial and By Hand
18Post-Fire Trail Mitigation Reconstruction
Measures
- Contour Slope Stabilization Straw Wattles
19Post-Fire Trail Mitigation Reconstruction
Measures
- Slope Stabilization Contour Tree Felling
20Post-Fire Trail Mitigation Reconstruction
Measures
- Reforestation Plant Trees
21Post-Fire Trail Mitigation Reconstruction
Measures
22Over 78,000 volunteer hours since May, 2000
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Monitoring Contact Us
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