Arizona Wildfires: The effects on trails

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Arizona Wildfires The effects on trails

and how to begin

Mitigation and
Reconstruction
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Presentation Outline

• AZ Wildfire History
• Trails in Arizona
• Impacts to Trails from Wildfires
• Post-Fire Trail Mitigation Measures

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AZ Wildfire History

• Wildfires were once common in Arizona
• The historic natural fire regimes were
• Pinyon-Juniper Woodlands every 10-30 years
• Ponderosa Pine Communities every 2-10 years
• Mix-Conifer Forests every 5-25 years
• Spruce-Fir Forests 150 years
• Type and intensity of historic wildfires
• Frequent, low-intensity surface fires
• Fire-dependent ecosystems

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AZ Wildfire History

• Whats changed AZs natural fire regime?
• Arrival of Anglo-Americans
• Roads and trails broke up forest fuels continuity
• Livestock grazing / Logging
• Fire suppression by land management agencies
• Climatic Differences (Drought) / Global Warming
• Subsequent affects to the land and wildfires
• Altered forest composition and structure
• Greater build-up of organic materials (fuels)
• Larger, more intense catastrophic wildfires

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Avg. 191,000 ac. / yr (based on 1990-2005)
ARIZONA
Larger, More Intense and Damaging Wildfires
As of 9/11/2007
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AZ Trail
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Trails in Arizona

• ASP lists over 600 trails statewide
• Thousands of miles of trails / routes
• Many different types / classes of trails
• Trails located in many different types of
  ecosystems and land jurisdictions

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Impacts to Trails From Wildfires

• Loss of Vegetation (trees, shrubs,
  bushes, grasses, ground cover, etc.)
• Insect Infestation / Noxious Weeds
• Soil Erosion (hydrophobic soils and significant
  surface runoff / washouts)
• Loss of Trail Structures (THs, toilets, signs,
  water bars, aesthetics, trail integrity, etc.)

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Post-Fire Trail Mitigation Measures

• Burned Area Emergency Response Process
• Trail Assessment (safety concerns, damage report)
• Develop Post-Fire Trail Mitigation Strategy
• Post-Fire Trail Mitigation Techniques

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Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Process

• BAER teams are comprised of hydrologists, soil
  scientists, engineers, biologists,
  archaeologists, range conservationists,
  silviculturists, and other specialists.
• Primary objective is to protect life, property,
  water quality, and deteriorated ecosystems.
• When appropriate, an agency administrator
  requests a BAER team, usually before a fire is
  contained.

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Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER)
Process(continued)

• Primary goal of the BAER team is to generate a
  Rehab Plan for approval and implementation
• Determine if emergency resource or human health
  and safety conditions exist.
• Alleviate emergency conditions to help stabilize
  soil control water, sediment and debris
  movement prevent impairment of ecosystems
  mitigate significant threats to health, safety,
  life, property downstream values at risk.
• Monitor the implementation and effectiveness of
  emergency treatments. Typically 12-month
  timeline.

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Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER)
Process(continued)

• What BAER may do
• Install water or erosion control devices
• Plant for erosion control or stability reasons.
• Install temporary barriers to protect
  treated/recovering areas.
• Install warning signs.
• Replace minor safety related facilities.
• Install appropriate-sized drainage features on
  roads and trails.
• Remove critical safety hazards.
• Plant grass to prevent spread of noxious weeds.

• What BAER cannot do
• Replant commercial forests or grass for forage.
• Excavate and interpret cultural sites.
• Install interpretive signs.
• Replace burned buildings, bridges, corrals, etc.
• Repair roads damaged by floods after fire.
• Treat pre-existing noxious weeds.

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Post-Fire Trail Assessment

• Things to look for
• Safety Concerns
• Current
• Future
• Trail Damage
• Extent
• Severity
• Cost Estimate

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Post-Fire Trail Mitigation Measures

• First Steps
• Secure the Area
• Post warning / safety signs.
• Remove hazard trees.
• Inform the Public
• News Releases
• Television
• Radio
• Newspaper
• Town Hall Meetings

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Post-Fire Trail Mitigation Strategy

• Three General Approaches
• Decommission trail for safety and resource
  concerns/issues.
• Repair / reconstruct the trail at its current
  location.
• Reroute trail or portions of the trail to a
  better location.

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Post-Fire Trail Mitigation Considerations

• Questions to Ask
• What are the elements of the reconstruction
  project?
• Will it require NEPA to reconstruct
  the trail?
• How will we accomplish the work (i.e. in-house,
  contract, grants, volunteers, etc.)?

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Post-Fire Trail Mitigation Reconstruction
Measures

• Seed / Mulch Dispersal Aerial and By Hand

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Post-Fire Trail Mitigation Reconstruction
Measures

• Contour Slope Stabilization Straw Wattles

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Post-Fire Trail Mitigation Reconstruction
Measures

• Slope Stabilization Contour Tree Felling

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Post-Fire Trail Mitigation Reconstruction
Measures

• Reforestation Plant Trees

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Post-Fire Trail Mitigation Reconstruction
Measures

• Trail Reconstruction

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