National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service and San Juan County fire crews conducted a successful prescribed fire on the southwest slope of Young Hill on June 23. Prescribed fires in this and three other units over the last decade have been especially beneficial to the Garry oak woodlands on the southwest slope. Following a thorough briefing by fire supervisor, the NPS's Joseph Harwood, at 10 a.m., the crew moved up the slope and worked down from the summit, completing the task by 2:30 p.m. It started raining not long afterwards. To prepare for the burn, the fire crew established a portable reservoir at the cemetery and strung wet lines around the boundary of the burn area. The fire line was wetted down prior to ignition to contain fire and the reservoir was maintained by county fire personnel. County fire fighters also worked the line. Prescribed fire is one of the primary tools in the park’s long-term program to reestablish portions of the diverse native grasslands at American Camp and Garry oak woodlands on the Young Hill slopes, according to Lee Taylor, park superintendent. Although remnants of the native plant community exist, large areas have been invaded by non-native plants, in part as a result of farming, as well as the exclusion of fire, used by native peoples before the arrival of Europeans. Fire reduces the amount of organic material and eliminates non-native seeds, which enables native plants to hold their own against non-native species. "Reducing the fuel levels aids in restoring desired conditions for native species such as the Garry oak," Taylor said. The use of fire as an aid to prairie and Garry oak restoration is an activity identified in the park’s approved fire plan. To view the plan, visit the park website at https://www.nps.gov/sajh/parkmgmt/firemanagement.htm |
Last updated: June 23, 2021