Fire Begins Slowing Down in The Golden Trout Wilderness
Incident: Shotgun Wildfire
Released: 7/6/2009
Date: July 6, 2009 www.fs.fed.us/r5/sequoia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Fire Begins Slowing Down in the Golden Trout Wilderness
SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST, CA The Shotgun Fire, located in the Golden Trout Wilderness where Shotgun Creek flows into the Little Kern River has grown to 899 acres but is not expected to grow much larger. The fire is being managed by ninety firefighters from the U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service. Many of these firefighters are expected to return home by Friday July 10. The Golden Trout Wilderness, managed by the Forest Service, is located approximately 25 miles northeast of the city of Porterville.
Why was it so important for the Forest Service to manage part of the Shotgun fire for resource benefits Western Divide District Ranger Priscilla Summers explains. "For more than 100 years, the philosophy has been to suppress fires at all costs. The current condition of the Golden Trout Wilderness and surrounding Giant Sequoia National Monument shows the absence of natural fire. Fire is a natural occurrence; it enhances the ecosystem's ability to sustain nutrient cycles and enhance productivity. Nutrients released as a result of fires are quickly used by new plants and trees."
In the past few years, the Sequoia National Forest has experienced devastating wildfires that, in a large part, have been due to the condition of the forests. Today's densely green forests may seem beautiful, but in fact are deadly. Fire suppression and reduced forest management over many decades has allowed trees and brush to grow very dense. Our forests are choking with brush, tinder-dry dead leaves, branches and trees that increase the risk of abnormally hot, intense and damaging wildfires. As a result, when a wildfire happens, managers face exorbitant costs to suppress fires and rehabilitation the forests after the fires.
The Shotgun fire and other fires like it give managers the opportunity to allow fire to help restore natural ecological processes. Since fire has been excluded from the ecosystems for so long, careful analysis and management of these fires is needed to improve habitat for animals and fish, coordinate smoke management with air districts and improve the overall health of the forest.
There are no trail closures in the Golden Trout Wilderness but visitors are urged to be cautious when traveling in the area near the fire, alternate routes are recommended. There will be hot spots and the possibility of burned trees falling in the area for several weeks. For up-to-date information please contact the Springville office at 559-539-2607.
