District Personnel Actively Managing Land burned in Rough Fire

An open house was held in March 2016 regarding the follow-up activities being done by land managers to address issues resulting from the Rough Fire. Hume Lake Ranger District personnel have been evaluating the landscape affected by the Fire. They are reviewing recommended modifications to current projects, opportunities identified so far in response to the fire, and where they need to manage this area to meet the Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument desired conditions.

Here are handouts and maps that were displayed at the open house held in March, additional material will be added to this website once it is finalized.

Ecological Restoration Plans for Hume Lake District in Fiscal Year 2016

Tree Mortality Response Strategy on Hume Lake Ranger District

Preliminary Threat of Deforested Conditions in the Rough Fire

Management Area Map

Potential Deforestation Trend Map

Project Map

Vegetation Burn Severity Map

The 2015 Rough Fire Sierra and Sequoia National Forests and Kings Canyon National Park Fire Behavior Assessment Team Summary Report was just posted to the website. Click Here to read that report

Based on the Burn Area Emergency Response (BAER) report supplies have been ordered to begin or continue conducting emergency stabilization activities where necessary throughout the burned area. Some of the on-going activities are stabilizing roads and trails; placing vegetation on severely burned slopes to prevent erosion; and proposing treatments to prevent spread of known invasive species in the burned area. These activities are likely to continue throughout the spring and summer as site conditions allow. Some areas may be monitored for up to three years where there is risk of fire-related damage. The BAER report can be found on Inciweb by clicking here.

Looking at the landscape off Highway 180 post Rough Fire

The current Forest Order that is keeping most of the district closed to the public remains in place. The rain and snow this winter has already resulted in rock and mudslides, flash floods, fallen trees and additional hazards along area roadways. As spring approaches, we will evaluate areas, and open up roads and their associated use areas only after they are deemed safe for public use, and there is minimal risk to resources. There is no projected date yet for when the area closure will be modified, and it is likely that some portions of the district may remain closed to public access throughout the summer due to safety and resource protection concerns.

Existing Projects

There are a number of projects that were already being implemented or planned in the area burned by the fire. The onset of rain and snow in November prevented some of the protection measures and site verification we planned to accomplish this winter. District staff have been reviewing the projects already being planned or implemented when the fire occurred to determine whether any changes are needed prior to proceeding as intended. The fire also created an opportunity for new projects to be proposed to move the area toward desired conditions.

Projects already underway or being planned in association with Rough Fire footprint:

Here is a preliminary map displaying the Rough Fire area, and the overlap with those projects that were already being planned or implemented in the fire perimeter. View full-size map here.

Map showing areas affected by Rough Fire

Desired Conditions

We also have charts describing the existing and desired conditions, as described in the Giant Sequoia National Monument Management Plan, and other applicable law, regulation or policy; as well as possible management opportunities to move toward desired conditions.