NJFFSA16
09-30-2002, 02:21 AM
DURANGO, Colo. (AP) - Hillsides and forests scorched by the
70,000-acre Missionary Ridge fire are becoming a field laboratory
for experts researching flash flooding, landslides and the regrowth
of trees.
While scientists said they sympathize with homeowners coping
with the fire's aftermath, the burned area is yielding some of the
most fascinating natural events to be observed in the nation.
"My personal interest will be to see the response of aspen to
the burn, which I think will be huge," said forester Dave
Crawford.
Crawford, who did similar work in Yellowstone National Park, had
hoped to study a plot in the fire's path before it was burned and
return afterwards to learn more about the fire's impact. But the
Missionary Ridge fire burned too hot and fast.
He said he would use 1983 infrared images that show how much
aspen grew in some of the large spruce stands that burned. He said
it is believed that large aspen stands on much of Colorado's
mountain landscape grew after the areas were cleared by fire.
Sue Cannon, a U.S.G.S. geologist in Golden, said she hopes to
learn more about the behavior of landslides in her studies of the
fire area.
"The behavior of these is so unpredictable, and the destructive
power is tremendous," Cannon said.
Pauline Ellis, a U.S. Forest Service district ranger, said the
Forest Service, the San Juan Public Lands Center and Fort Lewis
College are working with the Mountain Studies Institute to
coordinate research efforts.
The Silverton-based institute held its first conference this
weekend at Durango Mountain Resort.
Ellis said a federal funding request for long-term
rehabilitation of the burned area will include an explanation of
research opportunities created by the fire.
Other visitors have included John Moody, a U.S.G.S. hydrologist,
and Jim Pringle, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service
office in Grand Junction.
Pringle said the burned area is giving meteorologists
"extremely valuable guidance on when to expect flash flooding with
rainfall events of certain amounts" that can be used to help
forecasters become more accurate and to help communities that fall
victim to future fires.
"Long-term, from a hydrology standpoint, it's going to be
interesting to really watch the decrease in the amount of flooding
were getting and debris flows were getting," Crawford said. "Will
these debris flows quit being significant in three years or in five
years or will it take 10 years?"
Crawford said he believes aspen and Gambel oak will predominate
and researchers will look to see how effectively the new growth
holds the slopes together and reduces debris flows.
Crawford said researchers might also look at are how pine
regenerates, how range grass recovers in forest areas and what
effect the fire has on the amount of fuel waiting to burn next
time.
Research in the burned area wont just be ecological, Crawford
said.
"Socially, it will be interesting to see what the local
attitude will be to logging in the woods," he said.
Questions include whether people will become more tolerant of
thinning programs and whether they will only be interested in
thinning around homes or will also allow restoration in the
undeveloped forest, Crawford said.
(Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press
70,000-acre Missionary Ridge fire are becoming a field laboratory
for experts researching flash flooding, landslides and the regrowth
of trees.
While scientists said they sympathize with homeowners coping
with the fire's aftermath, the burned area is yielding some of the
most fascinating natural events to be observed in the nation.
"My personal interest will be to see the response of aspen to
the burn, which I think will be huge," said forester Dave
Crawford.
Crawford, who did similar work in Yellowstone National Park, had
hoped to study a plot in the fire's path before it was burned and
return afterwards to learn more about the fire's impact. But the
Missionary Ridge fire burned too hot and fast.
He said he would use 1983 infrared images that show how much
aspen grew in some of the large spruce stands that burned. He said
it is believed that large aspen stands on much of Colorado's
mountain landscape grew after the areas were cleared by fire.
Sue Cannon, a U.S.G.S. geologist in Golden, said she hopes to
learn more about the behavior of landslides in her studies of the
fire area.
"The behavior of these is so unpredictable, and the destructive
power is tremendous," Cannon said.
Pauline Ellis, a U.S. Forest Service district ranger, said the
Forest Service, the San Juan Public Lands Center and Fort Lewis
College are working with the Mountain Studies Institute to
coordinate research efforts.
The Silverton-based institute held its first conference this
weekend at Durango Mountain Resort.
Ellis said a federal funding request for long-term
rehabilitation of the burned area will include an explanation of
research opportunities created by the fire.
Other visitors have included John Moody, a U.S.G.S. hydrologist,
and Jim Pringle, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service
office in Grand Junction.
Pringle said the burned area is giving meteorologists
"extremely valuable guidance on when to expect flash flooding with
rainfall events of certain amounts" that can be used to help
forecasters become more accurate and to help communities that fall
victim to future fires.
"Long-term, from a hydrology standpoint, it's going to be
interesting to really watch the decrease in the amount of flooding
were getting and debris flows were getting," Crawford said. "Will
these debris flows quit being significant in three years or in five
years or will it take 10 years?"
Crawford said he believes aspen and Gambel oak will predominate
and researchers will look to see how effectively the new growth
holds the slopes together and reduces debris flows.
Crawford said researchers might also look at are how pine
regenerates, how range grass recovers in forest areas and what
effect the fire has on the amount of fuel waiting to burn next
time.
Research in the burned area wont just be ecological, Crawford
said.
"Socially, it will be interesting to see what the local
attitude will be to logging in the woods," he said.
Questions include whether people will become more tolerant of
thinning programs and whether they will only be interested in
thinning around homes or will also allow restoration in the
undeveloped forest, Crawford said.
(Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press