Fire-Adapted Ecosystems

Across the nation there are several different types of ecosystems that are fire-adapted – they depend on periodic fires. Fires promote plant and wildlife diversity as well as burning away the amassed live and dead plant material. We will obviously focus on the ones in Pennsylvania, but here are the types in other regions of the United States:

• Ponderosa Pine (Northwest and Intermountain West)
• Chaparral (Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of the Rocky Mountains)
• Lodgepole Pine Communities (Rocky Mountains)
• Boreal Forest and Tundra (Alaska)
• Midwest Prairie (Nebraska, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, and the Ohio Valley)
• Jack Pine Communities (Great Lakes Region)
• Southern Pine Communities (Texas east to Florida and north to Maryland)

There are two ecosystems in Pennsylvania:

Pitch Pine Barrens

Range for the Pitch Pine, which can have the pitch pine barrens ecosystem

This ecosystem is pretty common in the northeastern states, especially in areas with sandy soils, on average natural fires will occur in the barrens every 6-25 years. One characteristic of these fires is that they tend to be severe crown fires that are pushed by the wind from treetop to treetop. The main species that makes up this ecosystem is the Pitch Pine, which has this thick bark that protects it from heat and makes it so it can sprout back after a fire. These trees also reproduce with serotinous cones, which are cones that are opened by fire. The barrens are often home to many different rare plants, insects, turtles, and frogs – some of which require fire to shape their habitat or to be able to survive the competition from other animals. If there are extended periods of time where there are no fires in the barrens, large amounts of dead wood and pine needles can accumulate making the next fire possibly too severe for the pines and other organisms to survive.

Oak-Hickory Forests

Bet you can’t walk outside without seeing an oak tree in Pennsylvania (or at least the eastern half)! That’s because this is one of the most common ecosystems in Pennsylvania, as well as West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and many, many other states. Natural fires tend to occur in Oak-Hickory forests every 25 years or less. Native Americans burned some of these forests regularly, possibly even every year or two. Like Pitch Pine, most of our oaks have thick bark which allows them to survive surface fires – plus oaks and hickories both sprout from the base of the trunk after a fire burns through the area. Fires in this ecosystem remove shade and deep litter packs on the forest floor, which creates some of the best conditions for these trees to reproduce. You see, oaks and hickories are shade intolerant (they won’t grow well is shady conditions) so if they are in an area where the forest doesn’t burn for a long time, they could easily be overtopped by more shade-tolerant species.

Take time to remember that when fires burn at the appropriate intervals for their ecosystems it can trigger the rebirth of forests, eventually helping to maintain our native plant life.

“Fire managers can reintroduce fire into fire-dependent ecosystems with prescribed fire. Under specific, controlled conditions, the beneficial effects of natural fire can be recreated, fuel buildup can be reduced, and we can prevent the catastrophic losses of uncontrolled, unwanted wildfire.

Regardless of the benefits of occasional natural fires under specific conditions, remember Smokey's ABCs: Always Be Careful with Fire. Smokey wants you to be responsible when you use fire. It is still wrong and irresponsible to play with matches, throw lighted cigarettes away, or use equipment without proper spark arrestors, or leave any kind of fire unattended.”

Some of the other ecosystems are pretty interesting to read about, but since they don’t apply to Pennsylvania, we won’t be including them here. However, if you want to read more please feel free to click here to go to the Smokey Bear website and learn more!

The Big Blow Up of 1910

Hello, hello! Today we would like to talk about an event that is viewed as a pivotal moment in fire management (as well as Forest Service) history – the “Big Blow Up” (August 20-21, 1910). While this wasn’t in Pennsylvania, it was still an event that really shaped the wildland fire program in general.

Friend or foe?

Instrument of destruction or renewal?

Natural cycle or unwelcome force?

Over our history, the perception of wildfire here in America has swung from one extreme to another. Before the settlers came, the Indigenous people used fire, intentionally, to their benefit. Fire helped them manage wildlife habitats and with their agriculture among many of the typical uses. These fires, along with the naturally occurring ones, helped further control the fuel loading in the forest and helped fire-adapted ecosystems thrive. Of course, as the country became more settled, the folks living in those settlements began to see fire as a threat to homes, livelihoods, and lives – thus fire needed to be tamed (much like the West).

A drought-filled year already, 1910 was set to be a devastating year. In August hundreds of small fires were burning across the Northern Rockies of Idaho and Montana and the Forest Service had deployed 4000 troops to supplement the thousands of civilian firefighters already fighting these fires. August 20 brought hurricane-force winds into the virgin forest area, as they blasted through embers, and low flames were impelled into an inferno no one was prepared for. As Forester Edward Stahl described the flames that were, “fanned by a tornado wind so violent that the flames flattened out ahead, swooping to earth in great darting curves, truly a veritable red demon from hell.”

In just a few hours the fires became firestorms and trees became “exploding candles.” More trees were sucked up from the ground – roots and all – and were basically flying torches. Fireballs were reported to leap canyons half a mile wide, while entire mountainsides ignited in what seemed to be an instant.

During the two days that the great blow-up roared, more than 3 million acres burned, and enough timber was killed to fill a freight train 2,400 miles long (less than 10 percent of that was salvaged) – yes, in just two DAYS, not over a course of two WEEKS or two MONTHS. By noon on the twenty-first, daylight was dark as far north as Saskatoon, Canada, as far south as Denver, and as far east as Watertown, New York. Smoke reached New England, soot floated to Greenland, small communities were demolished, and more than 85 lives were lost. This event left lasting opinions about how forests and wildfires should be managed.

According to the National Forest Foundation “Fire suppression policy reached its extreme in 1935 with the 10 a.m. rule—mandating that any fire spotted in a given day must be controlled by 10 o’clock the following morning.” This policy was, effective, however, the extreme suppression of fires led to a large build-up of dried-out fuels and more dense but less diverse forests. All of this makes for a perfect place for a catastrophic blaze to take place. “Add in a changing climate—with longer, hotter, drier summers—and it’s clear that the “fight at all costs” approach to wildfire couldn’t be sustained” (National Forest Foundation).

“Recent decades have seen some of the worst fire seasons on record and astronomical firefighting budgets, but also a more tempered attitude about dealing with fire. In the early 1990s, Forest Service Chief Jack Ward Thomas backed away from the blanket fire suppression strategy, declaring that some fires should be fought, but others allowed to burn. “Fire is neither good nor bad,” Thomas said. “It just is” (National Forest Foundation).

This is why we have things like prescribed burning (to help safely reduce the number of fuels, and control invasive species while encouraging new native growth), community engagement to help homes be more fire-wise (both within the home and outside the home), and why we keep learning more through fire science.

“Humans are a uniquely fire creature on a uniquely fire planet, so fire has a lot to say about the character of each,” Stephen Pyne said in a 1994 interview. “Fire history shows people—humanity at large—facing questions and making choices about who they are and how they should behave."

~~~~

There are more stories and more detailed information about the Big Blow Up on the National Forest Foundation’s website (click here if you want to read more), but I want to pull this excerpt from Edward C. Pulaski and include it here:

Excerpts courtesy of U.S. Forest Service Northern Region Archives

Edward C. Pulaski

Forest ranger, Coeur d’Alene National Forest

Note: Edward Pulaski earned legend status during the blowup of 1910 when he led his men to safety and held them there in an abandoned mine shaft while the fire passed. Today, many will recognize his name in association with the axe-like “Pulaski” tool he invented for digging and chopping—often used on fire lines.

The whole world seemed to us men back in those mountains to be aflame. Many thought that it really was the end of the world. Under such conditions, it would have been worse than foolhardy to attempt to fight the fires. It was a case of saving our lives. I got on my horse and went where I could, gathering men. Most of them were unfamiliar with the country, and I knew that if they ever got out they would have to be led out … I finally collected forty-five men … Had it not been for my familiarity with the mountain trails, we would never have come out alive, for we were completely surrounded by raging, whipping fire.

My only hope was to reach an old mine tunnel which I knew to be not far from us.

Photo of the mouth of the tunnel, taken in 1910.

We raced for it. On the way, one man was killed by a falling tree. We reached the mine just in time, for we were hardly in when the fire swept over our trail.

The men were in a panic of fear, some crying, some praying. Many of them soon became unconscious from the terrible heat, smoke, and fire gas. The wet blankets actually caught fire and I had to replace them with others soaked in water. But I, too, finally sank down unconscious. I do not know how long I was in this condition, but it must have been for hours. I remember hearing a man say, “Come outside, boys, the boss is dead.” I replied, “Like hell he is.”

We counted our number. Five were missing … As the air outside became clearer, we gained strength and finally were able to stagger to our feet and start toward Wallace. When walking failed us, we crawled on hands and knees.

How we got down I hardly know. We were in terrible condition, all of us hurt or burned. I was blind and my hands were burned from trying to keep the fire out of the mine. Our shoes were burned off our feet and our clothing was in parched rags … My experience left me with poor eyes, weak lungs, and throat; but, thank God, I am not now blind."

~~~~

There are plenty of photos that accompany this event, here is a link to a gallery that has quite a few. Click here for that.

There is also a trail in the Idaho Panhandle National Forest near Wallace, Idaho that takes you along Pulaski’s route to save his men, where you can get a view of the tunnel where they hunkered down. Click here for an AllTrails synopsis and map of the trail.

 

 

Crew Photo - Independence

A quick little interjection to your day - We have a photo from the Independence crew while they were on the Smith River Complex, Division SS. They were working in steep terrain putting in saw cuts and handlines. 

Enjoy!

The One Where the Engine Crew Helped Save the Day

I specifically want to apologize for the delay in updates, I have been away at training with limited time to gather all the information and put it out there. SO! Without any further delay here is what is currently going on with the PA Fire Program:

Both Keystone and Liberty crews are home, while Independence is on assignment at the Smith River Complex in California. Two Type 6 Engines are currently on assignment in Texas.

Now, we have some photos as well as a little short storytime! Engine 603 was able to assist in saving a house from a wildfire! Straight from the crew:

"At 1430 on 8/25 a local volunteer fire department from Woodville was toned out to a woods fire on county road 3065 off Highway 69. The fire was reported at 5 acres burning in a 5-year-old plantation. Soon after the task force, we were dispatched to the fire. We showed up, along with two D5 dozers with plows, in 603. The initial attack for us was a grass fire pushing towards some structures. We knocked that down along with another brush truck from Woodville VFD. After that one of our dozers was requested for a farm-to-market structure on road 3120. We could see the fire pushing towards that structure from the field we were in so we went and tied on with our dozer and with another volunteer brush truck and a volunteer pumper truck (which is an engine with 1000 gallons and deck gun) we were able to assist in knocking down the fire as it approached the structure and moved through his yard. Yeah, we didn’t save the day alone. But definitely contributed to the effort. But the crew did a phenomenal job on that fire. We had several assignments over a 2-3 hour period and then continued with mop up till 2200 that evening."

Wildland Fire Crew Updates

The most recent update for our wildland fire crews as of 8/11/2023:

1. PA-PAS Keystone (21 Personnel): This resource is presently assigned to the Ridge Fire. The crew has been actively involved in both Division A and Division B, engaging in preparatory work for planned burnout and direct handline operations. The CRWB (Crew Boss) reports high morale among the crew, which is conducting a large number of chainsaw operations. You can find more details about the Ridge Fire here: Ridge Fire Information.

1. E-603 (4 Personnel): Currently stationed in Woodville, Texas, this resource forms part of an IA (Initial Attack) task force. The team has responded to several fires since its arrival. The ENGB (Engine Boss) remarked on the prevailing hot and dry conditions, which are projected to persist in the coming weeks.

1. PA-PAS Liberty (21 Personnel): Recently arrived at the Northwest Land Office in Kalispell, Montana, this resource is also set to join an IA task force for the time being.

We also received some photos from both of our crews for you to view!

Keystone:

Liberty:

"I thought I'd pass along a few pics of the crew mopping up and felling snags on the Woodward Fire, near Swan Lake, MT."

Pennsylvania Fire Seasons

We’d like to take the time to discuss something that you may, or may not, already know about Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania has what is called a bimodal fire season – this means that we have two separate fire seasons. A common thought is that fire season is summertime, and this could be attributed to all the coverage of fires in the Western part of our nation – which occur mainly in the summer.

Our nation has several different times for fire seasons. Fire season characteristics are driven by seasonal and continental-scale weather patterns, their movement, and variation. Seasonal air mass and jet stream changes affect various regions at different times and in different ways. In Pennsylvania, our problem times are in the spring (March through May) and fall (October through November), the Great Lakes, Northeast and Southeast all have similar patterns – unlike the rest of the nation having a “summer” fire season. However, our Spring season can extend well into summer if the jet stream remains active and brings windy/dry events that are preceded by dry conditions of two weeks or more. Much like what we saw at the end of Spring into early Summer.

We have previously discussed why the Spring is our primary fire season, with a flare up again in the fall. But just as a refresher, or if this is your first visit here, we will touch on it again. The typical pattern experienced east of the Rockies is a frequent occurrence of dry, or nearly dry, cold frontal passages over a somewhat long timeframe. This is the main mean of drying for our fuels, especially in the winter/early spring and fall. Why? Because we have deciduous trees here in good ol’ PA and they drop their leaves, allowing for a big open canopy. This means the sun can heat up the forest floor much easier than in the late spring and summer, along with limited shelter from the wind. The saving grace lies in how much snowpack we had over the winter. If we had a decent amount, all the litter and duff will be compacted and harder to dry out. On the flip side if we have a winter like we just did, where we had very little snow, the litter will still be all fluffy and easy to dry out. Thankfully, the front patterns are less likely to occur in the summer here, plus our trees are nice and green – keeping those canopies shaded.

This year we saw two large, difficult fires: the largest to note was the Crystal Lake fire that started on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, and was 100% contained on Sunday, April 16, 2023. That incident happened near Mountain Top, Luzerne County in the Pinchot State Forest. The Crystal Lake fire burned 4319 acres and did result in a temporary closure of the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s Northeast Extension. The Crystal Lake fire was caused by incendiary devices. There was also the Pool Hollow fire, near Sandy Ridge, Centre County which burned 1,445 acres. That fire started Thursday, April 20, 2023, and was 100% contained on Saturday, April 22, 2023. Pool Hollow was started due to equipment use.

Photo Credit: Pete Zoschg

Crystal Lake, District 11 (Pinchot) near Mountain Top Pa.

Photo Credit: Jeremy Hamilton

Pool Hollow, District 9 (Moshannon) near Sandy Ridge.

Wildland Fire Crew Update 8/8/2023

Good morning!

We have a slew of updates at once because things moved quite fast between last Wednesday (8/2/2023) and yesterday (8/7/2023) morning.

1. PA-PAS - Keystone (21 Personnel): We gathered the crew members at the Red Lion Hotel on 8/2/2023 later in the evening where they overnighted to leave in rental vehicles to their first destination on 8/3/2023.This crew was en route to a request from the Northern Rockies Geographic Area Coordination Center (GACC), as of 8/4/2023. Upon reaching Wyoming, they received new orders to report to the Ridge fire in Montana.
2. E-603 (4 Personnel): This engine was dispatched Friday (8/4/2023) and is heading toward Conroe, TX. 
3. PA-PAS - Liberty: We had been contacted by Montana requesting a Type 2 IA Crew, and although we did not have one posted, we did have enough personnel available to fill this request. The crew was gathered at the Red Lion Hotel on 8/6/2021 where they overnighted to leave 8/7/2023 in rental vehicles. They should recieve a new order when they get closer to their destination.
4. In total, we have 19 single resources deployed in 7 different states. The majority of these resources (16) were deployed earlier this week.