Fire & Fuels

The Klamath Forest Alliance recognized early on that logging was the primary cause of the huge wildfires that blew up in logging slash in the Salmon River Drainage. We fought hard to stop large salvage sales such as Dillon Creek and the Big Bar Fire, because logging far out in the forest does little for wildfire prevention, and damages watersheds. Since then, we have been advocating for community based fuels reduction plans that concentrate on clearing brush and small diameter trees around homes.

Salvage Logging
Logging in fire damaged watersheds almost always damages the ecosystem, as soils are compacted and plant growth delayed by ground disturbance. Because of the loss of forest cover, there is an increased risk that soils will end up in salmon bearing streams, from either logging or the use of roads. Timber companies usually leave behind the less profitable small diameter trees, limbs and branches, and instead favor removing the least flammable and most profitable portion of the forest - the big trees.

Wildfire Restoration
Studies have shown that large wildfires tend to blow up in logging slash and plantations, as we saw in the 1977 Hog and Yellow Fires. Thinning forests from below and removing the accumulated small diameter fuels, can reduce the chance that wildfire will make it into the crown canopy of forests. Keeping the overstory of trees intact, provides a natural shaded fuelbreak, and retains moisture and cool temperatures. Thinning in problem areas such as plantations and removing logging slash is a much better alternative than logging ancient forests and roadless areas.

Community Fire Protection
Wildfire is a natural process, a force that has shaped the Klamath Mountains for eons, and should not be viewed as the enemy. Huge wildfires are never stopped by man, but by nature with drops in humidity and the coming fall rains. Logging for wildfire far out in the forest is not effective, but clearing brush and trees around homes and structures, is effective. KFA has been a supporter and contributor to local efforts to develop fire safe strategies in the Salmon River and Klamath River Drainages.