To limit future blazes in California forests, selective logging must occur

The Creek Fire is literally burning its way into the collective memory of Labor Day weekend 2020. It will long be remembered for the dramatic rescue of 200 people trapped in the Fresno County backcountry, of the community of Shaver Lake becoming a ghost town as residents fled, and of the blaze jumping the San Joaquin River to head into Madera County, ready to lay waste to more forest land and threaten more remote homesteads.

It is just the latest reality check in a state that in August endured two of the biggest blazes on record in California, ones that burned down 1,500 structures.

The SCU Lightning Complex and LNU Lightning Complex fires were caused by what is in their names — lightning.

The Creek Fire, which began Friday night north of Shaver Lake, has an as-yet undetermined cause. By midday Sunday, it had grown to 45,000 acres and had 0% containment.

But one thing all the blazes have in common, and will be shared by future infernos in the state, are forests choked with too much growth due to management practices over the last century. Fire suppression was the goal for too long.

Forestry managers and ecologists have known for some time that thinning California’s forests is badly needed. By clearing out underbrush and removing weak trees, healthy pines and other varieties can thrive and better withstand future fires, which is part of the natural process in California.

Certain logging must occur

That means a word hated by environmentalists — logging — will have to be part of the conversation if California is to reduce the threat of devastating wildfires.

However, there are ways to log that don’t destroy ecosystems and leave huge scars on the land. Thinning is not as easy as clear cutting, and is more expensive, but selective removal can fortify a forest by cleaning out young, weak trees that compete for water and nutrients. Think of it like a homeowner pruning in a backyard.

It is the method advocated by American Forests, a nonprofit advocacy group that is working with state and federal agencies in California to restore badly burned forests, including the area scorched by the deadly Camp Fire in 2018.

Other techniques

Besides thinning, prescribed burns of undergrowth must occur more than has been happening. Smaller, more frequent fires is nature’s way to restore forest health.

Planting seedlings father apart mimics the natural habitat better.

American Forests is also involved in a pilot project being undertaken to combat climate change. The organization takes species from warmer low-elevation environments and transplants them to higher elevations. The transplants will better withstand a warming world.

Sierra’s red trees

The Sierra National Forest next to Fresno has more “red” trees — those killed by the bark beetle — than anywhere else. It should not be surprising that the Creek Fire would so quickly grow in size and danger. Fuel is abundant for its rampage. Many red trees have been cut down; countless more need to be removed.

From the literal escape from the flames of those trapped at Mammoth Pool reservoir to the thousands in the Valley under a dingy sky of smoke, the Creek Fire will long be remembered.

Elected leaders in the state and federal governments must heed the lessons of this most inopportune blaze and finally spend the money to address the critical needs of California’s forests.

In the short-term, Gov. Gavin Newsom should free up assistance by declaring an emergency in Fresno County due to the fire.