GW Fire heats up again

The GW Fire flared up again on Tuesday, May 6, during a tour of the area where the Forest Service plans to allow logging of 218 of the more than 6,000 acres affected by the blaze that threatened Black Butte Ranch late last summer.

The flare-up wasn't an actual wildfire of course, but spirited discussions between Asante Riverwind, Eastern Oregon Forest Organizer of the Oregon Chapter of the Sierra Club and Bill Anthony, Sisters District Ranger, threw a few sparks.

"The Deschutes NF Sisters District has planned a post fire timber sale in the GW fire area," Riverwind said in a written statement. "The primary reason for this logging project is timber economics. District logging plans ignore post fire science research recommendations to retain all or most all mature and large diameter size trees - both dead and alive - for wildlife habitat and long-term ecological recovery. Instead, the district plans near clear-cuts, leaving only six trees per acre across 218 acres proposed for logging."

Riverwind said the project could adversely affect wildlife, including the Spotted Owl.

The possibility of Spotted Owls in the GW Fire was the first match thrown down by the Sierra Club, but it was quickly doused by Kris Hennings, Sisters district wildlife biologist. Hennings said no Spotted Owls were found in pre-fire investigations.

Riverwind attempted to argue other wildlife habitat issues and was eventually cut off when Anthony said, "We didn't come out here to debate this project, we're out here to gather information."

When the topic of managing the post-fire riparian sectors of the GW came up, Riverwind and Anthony bristled again. Riverwind thinks Forest Service plans threaten riparian areas including redband trout habitat.

There was a moment of harmony when the group - consisting of several other members of the Sisters district staff and other Sierra Club representatives - arrived at an area to look at the way the Sisters district planning staff grouped trees to preserve snags.

Snags, otherwise known as Wildlife Trees (WLTs), are vital elements in a forest ecosystem. They become day-roosts for bats and food-gathering and nesting substrate for a number of bird species such as woodpeckers, and gleaners such as nuthatches and chickadees.

Marilyn Miller, a Sierra Club representative, wanted to save more of the larger ponderosa pine near the clumps, but Forest Service staff pointed out, by example of the blowdown trees nearby, that location was on a hilltop, and high winds would quickly blow down individual trees.

Anthony is of the opinion that the management plans for the GW Fire that he and his staff worked out are in the best interests of the community and forest. Riverwind feels the Forest Service could - and should - do better.

The debate will continue during the public comment period on the sale, which lasts until May 19.

"Send me what you think should be done - in writing and with photos," Anthony told Riverwind as the two groups walked through the project. "My staff and I will review it."

Submit written comments on the proposed salvage to GW Fire Timber Salvage Project, Project Manager Michael Keown, P.O. Box 249, Sisters, OR 97759; FAX (541) 549-7746. E-mail comments should be sent to [email protected]