Sunday, August 30, 2020

AUGUST COMPLEX FIRE TORCHES MENDOCINO NF BACKCOUNTRY

Plaskett Meadows Recreation Area - Circa 2017
Mendocino National Forest

*All Pictures are in the August Complex Fire Burn Footprint


AUGUST COMPLEX FIRE TORCHES MENDOCINO NF BACKCOUNTRY

The 2020 wildfire season continues to devastate families, private homes, and public lands in the Golden State.  One wildfire of keen interest to many backcountry trail enthusiasts is the August Complex Fire that is advancing across the northern part of the Mendocino National Forest.

Historically, this region of the Forest provides access to a lot of mid to high-elevation “deep woods” type dispersed/remote backcountry recreation for both motorized and non-motorized outdoor enthusiasts vs. the southern end of the Forest that is home to more developed OHV use, boating, camping, and fishing. 

Historic Log Springs Station - Circa 2017
Mendocino National Forest


The August Complex’s destructive path continues north from where the 2018 Ranch Fire was stopped near SheetIron Mountain.   Much of this area is a heavily wooded conifer forest that has not seen a significant fire event in some time.  This area is (or was) also prime habitat for the Northern Spotted Owl.

Most of the OHV recreation on this part of the Forest occurs on designated roads with some trail networks in the Doe Peak area that are enjoyed by dirt-bikes, ATVs, SxSs, and 4WDs.  However, the vast majority of motorized recreation opportunity is for street legal dual-sport/ADV motorcycles and 4WDs.  

Looking South from FH7 - Circa 2017
Mendocino NF


According to a Forest Service update today on the August Complex – comprised of the Hull, Doe, Tatham, and Glade fires- it sits at 221,284 acres and has 18 percent containment.

LINK TO AUGUST 30 AUGUST FIRE UPDATE

Based on what I know of the fire and the area, the fire appears to have impacted a lot of the heavily wooded areas north of SheetIron Mountain along the M3 corridor, the Doe Peak trail system on the north side of FH7, and many dispersed camping and backcountry touring opportunities along the M2/M4/M9 route network.

Sugar Springs Campground - Circa 2017
Mendocino National Forest


PWORA’s professional staff and volunteers look forward to helping recover, restore, and reopen important public land recreation facilities damaged by 2020 wildfires.   



Thursday, August 13, 2020

RECREATION ROADMAP HIGHLIGHTS IMPORT OF POST DISASTER RECOVERY EFFORTS


RECREATION ROADMAP HIGHLIGHTS IMPORT OF 
POST DISASTER RECOVERY EFFORTS


PWORA commends the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) for its outstanding work on behalf of recreation businesses, users, and other stakeholders.   ORR is comprised of 32 national trade associations that represent non-motorized/motorized recreation and natural resource management interests.  The motorized ORR members include representatives from OHV, OSV, and 4WD. 

In the recent ORR publication entitled: A ROADMAP FOR A 21ST CENTURY OUTDOOR RECREATION ECONOMY, they highlight a number of their key strategies and success stories as they work to build support for sustainable recreation with decision-makers in Washington D.C and in state capitols throughout the country.

LINK TO ORR RECREATION ROADMAP

PWORA appreciates that ORR has included post natural disaster recovery of recreation facilities as an important part of recreation management efforts as cited below in the ROADMAP.

SOUND CONSERVATION POLICIES SUSTAIN RESILIENT RECREATION LANDSCAPES

Recreation access to our lands and waters must be balanced by ensuring resource protection and sustainable outdoor experiences for generations to come.

OUR PRIORITIES:

1. Creating a plan to mitigate climate change impacts on recreation assets and gateway
communities that rely on robust outdoor recreation, and supporting quick recovery
and restoration of these assets after a natural disaster.

2. Investing in natural solutions that allow for recreation while providing buffers during
severe storms.

PWORA encourages recreation groups and land managers to review the ORR ROADMAP as it contains a number of their significant accomplishments on behalf of recreation interests and the economy.

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