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pjp Administrator


Joined: 16 Apr 2002 Posts: 17127
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Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 3:18 am Post subject: Why Big, Intense Wildfires Are the New Normal |
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Why Big, Intense Wildfires Are the New Normal
Aren't forests cited as a significant carbon sink? The article doesn't mention the potential impact due to the release of captured carbon. _________________ I can saw a woman in two, but you won't want to look in the box when I'm through.
For my next trick, I'll need a volunteer. |
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McGruff Tux's lil' helper


Joined: 28 Dec 2004 Posts: 148
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Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 5:53 am Post subject: |
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Depends what grows back between fires. |
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pjp Administrator


Joined: 16 Apr 2002 Posts: 17127
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Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 3:31 pm Post subject: |
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It takes a long time after a fire for anything meaningful to grow back. _________________ I can saw a woman in two, but you won't want to look in the box when I'm through.
For my next trick, I'll need a volunteer. |
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Old School Apprentice


Joined: 20 Nov 2004 Posts: 240 Location: West Bank of the Coast Fork
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Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 3:41 pm Post subject: |
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pjp wrote: | It takes a long time after a fire for anything meaningful to grow back. |
Not true.
And I worked in the forestry arena for over 25 years, and have fought 2 forest fires, so I do know a little concerning the subject. One would be amazed at the vegetation even one season after a fire. I didn't read the article, but it is accumulated undergrowth and dead material that causes these big fires to cause so much damage. With little undergrowth, fires race through an area and do little more than scorch the bark on the large trees. _________________ The further a society drifts from truth, the more it will hate those who speak it.
George Orwell
It just keeps getting better |
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pjp Administrator


Joined: 16 Apr 2002 Posts: 17127
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Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 4:45 pm Post subject: |
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It can take up to ten years to have enough meaningful growth to prevent washout of soil. Weeds and some undergrowth, sure. A few years ago, I drove through part of a wildfire area that happened in 2002, and there was nothing even remotely close to the same height as the charred timber still standing.
This isn't exact, but it is similar. Actually, that makes for an excellent example. That is apparently from Dec 2003. I saved this picture, and EXIF indicates 2007.
I don't discount your experience, but I'm going by what I've seen, along with what local forestry experts are saying. _________________ I can saw a woman in two, but you won't want to look in the box when I'm through.
For my next trick, I'll need a volunteer. |
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sikpuppy n00b


Joined: 12 Jun 2012 Posts: 34 Location: Central Coast, NSW
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Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 4:53 pm Post subject: |
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I'd say it depends how long it's been since the last fire. If it's been decades then the area will look like a nukes gone off afterwards, if it's been a few years then the fire will just pass through rapidly and be easier to control. I suppose that's the theory behind controlled burning near residential areas and protected parklands. Clear the undergrowth in a corridor, and make sure the backburn doesn't get out of control. |
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Bones McCracker Veteran


Joined: 14 Mar 2006 Posts: 1605 Location: U.S.A.
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Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 8:39 pm Post subject: |
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It's because of Global Warming, and it's Bush's fault.
There never used to be a problem with big wildfires out West.
That's why even the Japanese knew they could probably set the entire West Coast ablaze by dropping a few carefully placed incendiary bombs (except it turned out to be unusually wet the year they tried).
These fires have always been going on, every time it gets on the dry side. The problem is that we've had so much suburban expansion that we're now stupidly living where the fires burn, and the more people you've got, the more chance somebody is going to start a fire. _________________
patrix_neo wrote: | The human thought: I cannot win.
The ratbrain in me : I can only go forward and that's it. |
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pjp Administrator


Joined: 16 Apr 2002 Posts: 17127
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Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 10:16 pm Post subject: |
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And before we lived where the fires burn, we lived where the tornadoes, hurricanes and earthquakes roamed.
The premise isn't that Oh my God, now we have fires and we didn't ever before. It is that they have gotten worse, partly due to lolgov mismanagement of undergrowth and partly due to climate change. A lot of "largest" ever fires on this list in the 2000s. Of course, all of those can be ignored, cause there was North America's largest fire in 1950. _________________ I can saw a woman in two, but you won't want to look in the box when I'm through.
For my next trick, I'll need a volunteer. |
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Bones McCracker Veteran


Joined: 14 Mar 2006 Posts: 1605 Location: U.S.A.
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Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 12:06 am Post subject: |
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So what do we need to do? Controlled burns of undergrowth? _________________
patrix_neo wrote: | The human thought: I cannot win.
The ratbrain in me : I can only go forward and that's it. |
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sikpuppy n00b


Joined: 12 Jun 2012 Posts: 34 Location: Central Coast, NSW
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Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 1:08 am Post subject: |
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BoneKracker wrote: | So what do we need to do? Controlled burns of undergrowth? | It works on Mediterranean women, it can work on overgrown landscapes. |
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Old School Apprentice


Joined: 20 Nov 2004 Posts: 240 Location: West Bank of the Coast Fork
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Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 1:46 am Post subject: |
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BoneKracker wrote: | So what do we need to do? Controlled burns of undergrowth? | That depends on the location. In roaded areas of the National Forests, we need to clear cut strips and replant with a variety of species. Thin other areas to keep the forest floor clear of a lot of fuel; the clear cuts forming natural fire breaks. In Wilderness and roadless areas, do nothing. If a fire occurs, let it burn. _________________ The further a society drifts from truth, the more it will hate those who speak it.
George Orwell
It just keeps getting better |
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pjp Administrator


Joined: 16 Apr 2002 Posts: 17127
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Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 2:23 am Post subject: |
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Old School wrote: | In roaded areas of the National Forests, we need to clear cut strips and replant with a variety of species. Thin other areas to keep the forest floor clear of a lot of fuel; the clear cuts forming natural fire breaks. | Is that just along the roads, or throughout areas of the forest near roads? I'm just trying to figure out what size areas you're referring to.
Old School wrote: | In Wilderness and roadless areas, do nothing. If a fire occurs, let it burn. | Which is pretty much what we've got, which is why I asked for clarification on the previous part. _________________ I can saw a woman in two, but you won't want to look in the box when I'm through.
For my next trick, I'll need a volunteer. |
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Old School Apprentice


Joined: 20 Nov 2004 Posts: 240 Location: West Bank of the Coast Fork
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Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 2:42 am Post subject: |
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Here is a good picture of a ridge with different stages of growth, which creates a fire break. Just look at a satellite image of the Cascade Range in Washington or Oregon for an indication of size. You can see clearcuts of various stages of regrowth. _________________ The further a society drifts from truth, the more it will hate those who speak it.
George Orwell
It just keeps getting better |
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Bones McCracker Veteran


Joined: 14 Mar 2006 Posts: 1605 Location: U.S.A.
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Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 10:39 am Post subject: |
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sikpuppy wrote: | BoneKracker wrote: | So what do we need to do? Controlled burns of undergrowth? | It works on Mediterranean women, it can work on overgrown landscapes. |
 _________________
patrix_neo wrote: | The human thought: I cannot win.
The ratbrain in me : I can only go forward and that's it. |
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Prenj n00b


Joined: 20 Nov 2011 Posts: 16
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Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 1:11 pm Post subject: |
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All of you lazy fucks who own a car, it's your fault!  _________________ “If You Meet the Buddha on the Road, Kill Him” |
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pjp Administrator


Joined: 16 Apr 2002 Posts: 17127
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Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 2:41 pm Post subject: |
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One of these days I still hope to get an SUV or a truck. _________________ I can saw a woman in two, but you won't want to look in the box when I'm through.
For my next trick, I'll need a volunteer. |
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