Hazard Fuel Reduction to Begin at Fort Clatsop

Date: July 12, 2006
Contact: Chip Jenkins, Superintendent, 503-861-4401

Hazard Fuel Reduction To Begin At Fort Clatsop

Work will begin on Thursday, July 13 to begin to reduce hazard fuels, to prevent wildland fire, in and around Fort Clatsop. A 10 person Wildland Fire Crew from Olympic National Park, will work at the park for one week. The crew will work to reduce the wildland fuel load in and around buildings and developed area at Fort Clatsop. 

Work will include pruning trees to remove branches 6 to 8 feet above the ground, removing some down woody debris, and removing selected standing live or dead trees in close proximity to buildings or developed areas.

“As part of the National Park Service fire program we are able to bring skilled crews from other parks to come and help us reduce our fire hazard,” said Chip Jenkins Superintendent. “We are also working cooperatively with Oregon Department of Forestry and local fire departments to do our part to reduce the risks from wildland fire.”

For the next week visitors are likely to encounter National Park Service employees using chainsaws in the forest around the visitor center, fort exhibit and along the trails at Fort Clatsop. Work around public use areas will be take place in the early mornings to avoid impacts to visitors.

This work is the first phase of implementing the park’s new Fire Management Plan. The park’s fire management plan was adopted in December 2004, after completing an Environmental Assessment and undergoing public review. The goals of the park’s Fire Management Plan include providing for firefighter and public safety, protecting life and property, preventing fires from burning onto or off of park land, managing the vegetation to replicate a natural ecosystem, working proactively to accomplish all of the fire plan goals.