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Yellowstone National Park achieved a significant fire management goal with the completion of the Bechler Ranger Station hazardous fuels treatment project during Fall 2005.
This project integrated defensible space principles with aesthetic, wetlands and cultural resources recommendations from the park's interdisciplinary team to create a wildland fire resistant environment at this remote, historic ranger station.
Due to the wilderness sensitivity concerns expressed by a variety of interested publics, no heavy equipment was utilized in the completion of the project. Instead, horse teams were used for all skidding operations. No negative comments regarding logging activities were received.
Underscoring the win/win nature of the entire project was the fact that Montana Conservation Corps members provided the bulk of the labor furthering the park goal of supporting local youth employment opportunities.
Logs generated by the thinning were decked in the immediate area for station projects such as cabin replacement logs, sign posts, firewood and barrier logs. Much of the waste biomass was chipped into the corral areas for bedding resulting in an overall high percentage of utilization for the entire project.
The completion of this work will allow greater utilization of fire use in the area, especially in accepting fires from the adjacent Targhee National Forest. This in turn will result in ecological benefits as well as greater interagency cooperation in fire management and decrease tax dollars allocated to fire suppression.
Contact: Cole Irvin, Forestry Technician
Phone: (406)
848-2562 |
