In need of an alternate route between the Yukon River and Coal Creek Camp for administrative travel & operational support, the Yukon-Charley Rivers fire staff organized a Student Conservation Association (SCA) youth work crew to help clear the historic Coal Creek Upper Road. The SCA crew and NPS Eastern Area Fire Management (EAFM) staff traveled down the Yukon River to Coal Creek Camp via NPS motorboats. Prior to clearing the upper road for travel, the SCA youth participated in a three-day chainsaw safety class to become certified in safe on-the-job use of chainsaws for felling and bucking trees and vegetation.
Once the training was completed, SCA and EAFM personnel implemented the removal of fuel along the upper road. By the time the clearing was complete, the 3.5 mile long upper road was deemed passable for vehicular travel. The Upper Coal Creek Road project was planned to contribute to the natural and cultural resource functions within the Yukon-Charley Rivers. A huge thanks to the Eastern Alaska Fire Management team for not only putting on the chainsaw safety class, but also seeing the completion of the upper road clearing and helping fund both projects. Thanks also go to the Student Conservation Association for their incredible work and the Yukon-Charley Rivers Interpretation Division for helping fund both projects. With staff certified in proper techniques and concerns & hazards safely mitigated, the partnership between SCA and Yukon-Charley Rivers was a great success. |
Last updated: July 10, 2015