Christie Shaw
Public Information Officer
(541) 263-0661
It has been nearly three weeks since the Mason
Springs and Berry Creek fires came roaring down canyon, consuming everything in
their path. These fires merged, known as the Canyon Creek Complex, they
continue to burn in the surrounding hillsides. While the smoke still
lingers and the shock starts to wear off, residents begin the planning stages
of the difficult rebuilding process. Thoughts of how to rebuild and
reclaim a community from the fire aftermath are forming. The Oregon
Department of Forestry (ODF) wants to be a part of this process of restoring
communities in Grant County.
Springs and Berry Creek fires came roaring down canyon, consuming everything in
their path. These fires merged, known as the Canyon Creek Complex, they
continue to burn in the surrounding hillsides. While the smoke still
lingers and the shock starts to wear off, residents begin the planning stages
of the difficult rebuilding process. Thoughts of how to rebuild and
reclaim a community from the fire aftermath are forming. The Oregon
Department of Forestry (ODF) wants to be a part of this process of restoring
communities in Grant County.
The John Day Unit of ODF employs a staff that can
help by providing technical assistance to landowners in the rebuilding of their
forested landscapes. This staff is vital in helping the community return
the forests and wildland back to pre-fire conditions over time while meeting
the requirements of the Oregon Forest Practices Act.
help by providing technical assistance to landowners in the rebuilding of their
forested landscapes. This staff is vital in helping the community return
the forests and wildland back to pre-fire conditions over time while meeting
the requirements of the Oregon Forest Practices Act.
Scorched and burned out silhouettes remain where
grass, shrubs and trees were once part of the landscape. As we move
toward fall and the rainy season, fragile soil that was held in place by this
vegetation becomes a threat to water quality. Rules in the Oregon Forest
Practices Act are intended to limit damage to soils and streamside vegetation
which can filter ash and sediment from run-off on these blackened slopes.
While you may want to get started right away clearing burned vegetation, that
vegetation may be critical for soil stabilization until new plants become
established. ODF Stewardship Foresters can help landowners navigate
through the rules and processes which are in place to maintain healthy
forests.
grass, shrubs and trees were once part of the landscape. As we move
toward fall and the rainy season, fragile soil that was held in place by this
vegetation becomes a threat to water quality. Rules in the Oregon Forest
Practices Act are intended to limit damage to soils and streamside vegetation
which can filter ash and sediment from run-off on these blackened slopes.
While you may want to get started right away clearing burned vegetation, that
vegetation may be critical for soil stabilization until new plants become
established. ODF Stewardship Foresters can help landowners navigate
through the rules and processes which are in place to maintain healthy
forests.
ODF wants to assist landowners through the process
for removing hazard trees near homes and infrastructure as well as planning for
and implementing salvage logging operations and post fire recovery efforts on
private forestlands. ODF John Day Unit Stewardship Forester Ryan Miller
explains, “We don’t want to stop someone from removing a tree that poses a
safety hazard, we just want to ensure that we protect streams and soil. We can
provide landowners options and technical advice for removing hazards while
protecting the environment.” Stewardship Foresters can also provide
advice on how to restore vegetation back to a site. Contact the local ODF
Office in John Day (541-575-1139) for more information.
for removing hazard trees near homes and infrastructure as well as planning for
and implementing salvage logging operations and post fire recovery efforts on
private forestlands. ODF John Day Unit Stewardship Forester Ryan Miller
explains, “We don’t want to stop someone from removing a tree that poses a
safety hazard, we just want to ensure that we protect streams and soil. We can
provide landowners options and technical advice for removing hazards while
protecting the environment.” Stewardship Foresters can also provide
advice on how to restore vegetation back to a site. Contact the local ODF
Office in John Day (541-575-1139) for more information.
Additional information and guidance for forest
activities is available online at www.oregon.gov/odf/privateforests/pages/fpakeys.aspx
activities is available online at www.oregon.gov/odf/privateforests/pages/fpakeys.aspx