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In June 2003, Yosemite fire managers began
a project to remove the dangerous build-up of brush and dead
or downed trees along the Big Oak Flat Road corridor (Highway
120 inside the park). This project continues into 2005 and
now includes the Wawona Road (Highway 41 inside the park).
To park fire managers, the “miles of piles” is
a successful hazard fuel reduction project.
This mechanical thinning process is one
tool used by the National Park Service to reduce heavy accumulation
of fuels and, ultimately, help prevent larger fires. In turn,
this helps preserve natural and cultural resources and provide
for public and firefighter safety. These projects also serve
to protect park and community structures from larger fires.
The primary goal of these projects is to
reduce fire hazards along major travel routes through the
park. In the event of a wildfire, this will help ensure public
and firefighter safety. Thinning for removal of hazardous
wildland fuels establishes and maintains fuelbreaks and evacuation
routes in the event of a wildland fire emergency. It also
helps reduce the potential for a large crown fire to spread
which could ultimately overrun the road.
Approximately 1,000 acres have been thinned,
brushed, and piled by crews. Chainsaws were used to thin areas
within 200 feet, on either side, of the Big Oak Flat Road
and the Wawona Road. Primarily young conifers and mixed brush
(including manzanita and ceanothus) were thinned. Trees six
inches diameter at breast height (dbh) have been included
in this project.
The roadside thinning project implements
the Final Yosemite Fire Management
Plan. One of the interesting benefits to the project
is that is had piqued visitor curiosity. It is one of the
most comman questions asked in the park right now and provides
park employees a great opportunity to educate visitors about
the role of fire in the park as well as the effects of fire
suppression.
Contact: Deb Schweizer, Fire Education
Specialist
Phone: (209) 372-0480
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