THE 1995 VISION FIRE

THE EFFECTS

On the afternoon of October 3, 1995 the smoldering remains of an illegal campfire combined with 45 mph winds and the parched Chaparral landscape turned the peaceful Philip Burton Wilderness Area into an uncontrollable firestorm that lasted over 4 days. Sweeping the Mount Vision hillside, the fire engulfed and burned 12,354 acres of bishop pine forest, coastal scrub and grasses on state, federal and private lands. Although 94% of the fire burned within the park boundaries, the remaining 6% managed to completely destroy 45 homes in nearby Inverness Park. This area of the park had not experienced a fire in 50-100 years, which only increased its intensity. At the peak of the fire fighting efforts, over 2,100 personnel were directly involved in containing and suppressing the fire (Point Reyes National Seashore 1996; Point Reyes National Seashore 1996a).

Wildlife

Fire has always been considered a natural part of the environment, and many plants and animals thrive or perish in its wake. From the beginning, the Vision Fire, as it is called, quickly consumed several hundred acres between Mount Vision and Limantour Beach leaving many animals with no escape from the heat and smoke.

For example, the apparent decline of the Point Reyes mountain beaver (Aplodontia rufa) population is one of several species that scientists are particularly concerned about. A medium-sized rodent, the mountain beaver, is only found in West Marin and nearly 95% of its range occurs within the park. It builds shallow burrows under thickly covered coyote bush (Baccharis pilularis), blackberry thickets (Rubus ursinus) and dense bracken ferns (Pteridium aquilinum var. pubescens). Their dark 'tunnels' are about 6 inches in diameter and run parallel to the surface. Preliminary evidence suggests that many of the beavers perished, since most individuals were likely to retreat into their burrows from the fire. In the following winter months, more mountain beavers (Aplodontia rufa) probably suffered due to the loss of habitat and food (Barbour & Major 1977; Bakker 1984; Ingles 1992; Point Reyes National Seashore 1996; Point Reyes National Seashore 1996a; Point Reyes National Seashore 1996b).

In contrast, the rare Myrtle's silverspot (Speyeria zerene myrtleae) butterfly is a good example of a species likely to benefit from the fire damage. In the coastal scrub community, spring wildflowers are diverse after a fire and provide an unusually abundant source of food for silverspot caterpillars. The augmented food supply may help to increase the range and numbers of this rare species (Point Reyes National Seashore 1996a).

Plants

Approximately 70% of the vegetation in the burn area was affected because of the thick, desiccated undergrowth and strong, unpredictable winds. The 'islands' of vegetation that survived the erratic path of the Vision Fire helped to re-seed the scorched hillsides. A short hike around Mount Vision quickly reveals that recovery is underway. Coyote bush (Baccharis pilularis), blackberry (Rubus ursinus), cow parsnip plants (Heracleum lanatum) and grasses were among the first plants to show signs of regeneration (Point Reyes National Seashore 1996).

Many of the species in the coastal Mediterranean climate are well adapted to survive occasional fires, and some even require it! The bishop pine tree (Pinus muricata) illustrates this point well. In order to maintain a healthy population and steady reproductive growth, P. muricata "requires heat to melt the resin in the cones to release seeds, and prefers bare mineral soil with plenty of sunlight for seedling survival" (Point Reyes National Seashore 1996).

While bishop pine (Pinus muricata) seedlings seem to thrive after fire, the offspring of Douglas fir trees (Pseudotsuga menziesii) do not fare as well. Young Douglas fir trees are usually destroyed in fire and regeneration is slow compared to other trees of the north coast forest community--Pacific madrones (Arbutus menziesii), California bay (Umbellularia californica) and coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) . The thick bark of a mature Douglas fir tree (Pseudotsuga menziesii) provides vital protection from the fire's intense heat and it frequently survives. The latter trees are quick to sprout and pose a competitive edge over P. menziesii. As the undergrowth recovers, however, and the shady lower canopy is restored, young Douglas fir seedlings are able to increase their rate of regeneration. In a few decades, P. menziesii will re-establish itself as the dominant species in the north coast forest community (Point Reyes National Seashore 1996).

In the aftermath of the fire, the reproductive capabilities of rare plant species and the spread of invasive exotic plants are of particular concern and will be closely monitored to determine the regeneration abilities of the effected plant communities (Point Reyes National Seashore 1996a).

RESEARCH, RECOVERY & CHANGE

It will be decades before we see the full effects of the Vision Fire, and completely understand the fire ecology of the burn area. To that end, considerable wildlife, plant, soil, and water research is being conducted. Before the fire was completely suppressed, preliminary data was gathered and recommendations were made by the Department of Interior's Burn Area Emergency Rehabilitation (BAER) Team (Point Reyes National Seashore 1996a). Based on those recommendations and since the fire, several state and federal agencies and local universities, including San Francisco State University, have been conducting fire related research.

San Francisco State University's Geography and Human Environmental Studies Department has been studying the recovery and regeneration of the bishop pine (Pinus muricata) and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) trees and the effects of the fire on the communities where these trees dominate. SFSU graduate students, Karen Folger and Simon Hurd are working with Associate Professor Barbara A. Holzman to study these communities. Other Vision Fire related studies include the overall vegetation recovery of seven vegetative communities; regeneration of coastal scrub; the effects of the fire on organisms in the soil (ectomycorrhizae); population density and distribution of black-tailed (Odocoileus columbianus) and exotic fallow deer (Dama dama), and small and medium-sized rodents; population size and distribution of the red fox (Volpes fulva), house cat and the California red-legged frog (Rana aurora); and an overall survey of bird numbers and diversity (Point Reyes National Seashore 1996a).

While the results of these studies are inconclusive, there is already evidence that the Point Reyes jumping mouse (Zapus trinotatus) and mountain beaver (Aplodontia rufa) have been adversely effected by the fire and their numbers have most certainly declined. In contrast, amphibians seemed to fare remarkably well and the population of California red-legged frogs (Rana aurora) appears to be mainly intact (Point Reyes National Seashore 1996a).

In the years that follow, these studies will increase our understanding of fire ecology, assist the National Park service in managing the Point Reyes National Seashore, and provide valuable knowledge for managing fire damaged public lands and protecting our natural resources.

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