San Bernardino National Forest conducts one of its largest prescribed fires

Fire personnel from the San Bernardino National Forest and partner agencies have completed major activities on the Thomas Mountain Prescribed Fire in an area measuring 2,500 acres within the San Jacinto Ranger District of the forest. The operation began June 15 and is part of the Wildfire Crisis Strategy by the USDA Forest Service to mitigate the effects of wildfires in identified landscapes, including forests in Southern California.

Image

According to Stephanie Bishop, a Public Information Officer for the prescribed fire, the district has placed the prescribed burn into patrol status and continues daily monitoring.

“This is a necessary precautionary measure, and by doing so, the firefighters can promptly address any potential hot spots or flare-ups, effectively maintaining control over the fire,” Bishop said. “Their vigilance and quick response to any signs of re-ignition or fire activity significantly minimize the risk of the fire spreading beyond the designated area.”

San Bernardino National Forest wildland firefighters took the lead beginning June 15 with igniting excess fuels, such as vegetation and dead wood, on a flat spot of Thomas Mountain. The mountain situated west of the community of Garner Valley and southeast of Mountain Center is also near the town of Idyllwild.

To start the unprecedented task, fire personnel ignited fuels using drip torches and hand-tossed incendiary flares, while other firefighters performed holding duties; a helicopter was used to fire areas inaccessible by foot. Firefighters remained on duty through the nights.

Image

Other forms of treatment had been conducted in the area prior to the prescribed burn and included mulching, masticating, and pile burning, said Salvador Reyes, District Fire Management Officer for Division 5 at the San Jacinto District and a burn boss trainee for this incident. A prescribed fire of this size had not been attempted by the San Bernardino National Forest, added Reyes, who has served in fire operations for 27 years.

According to the Office of Communications for the Forest Service, prescribed fires help reduce hazardous fuels, such as thick, overgrown vegetation and dead or downed trees that can lead to uncontrolled wildfires. Prescribed burn operations cause less damage and are much easier to control than wildfires. They also minimize the spread of pest insects and disease, remove unwanted species that threaten species native to an ecosystem and improve habitat for threatened and endangered species. The process eventually recycles nutrients back to the soil, promoting the growth of trees, wildflowers, and other plants. The prescribed fire strategy also assists firefighters in protecting communities, property and infrastructure.

Image

“In this project we’re looking to do a combination of things: We’re looking for a fuels reduction for one, and that’s going to create a healthy and sustainable forest and create some resiliency on the landscape,” Reyes said on day one. “We’re also looking to remove enough fuels, so that if a wildfire were to start, then we’d be able to use this operationally and have this essentially as a fuel break.”

Reyes stressed the strategy would provide added protection to communities in proximity, including Garner Valley, which is the nearest one to the prescribed fire.

Jim Snow, Assistant District Fire Management Officer at the San Jacinto District of the San Bernardino National Forest, served as the burn boss for the incident and provided additional details about the strategy.

Image

“We have the ability to control a prescribed fire, so we’re not being reactive, we’re being more proactive,” Snow said. “So, we can take the fire and manipulate it the way we want to see it burn on the landscape.”

Snow also described a feature of prescribed burning that is beneficial to the natural environment.

“We don’t want to ruin the landscape, so by using the mosaic pattern [we’re] leaving certain patterns of fuel types on the hillside to kind of trap debris flow and allow some regrowth and soaking of moisture back into the soil.”

Prior to the start of fuel ignitions on the first day, approximately 100 personnel from the forest and partner agencies gathered in a horseshoe-shaped arrangement, attentive to speakers as they briefed the group. This type of briefing is part of the incident command system and topics covered by fire leadership included communications, resources, safety, weather, and even pay. Because of the magnitude and significance of the operation, district and forest-level leadership were introduced before they also provided information and appreciation to the firefighters.

San Bernardino National Forest Supervisor Danelle Harrison greeted the crowd with an energetic “Good Morning” before describing the significance of the actions that personnel were about to undertake. She stated that the number of acres treated, although a first for the forest, was not the most important aspect of the work. She explained that providing community protection, implementing forest restoration, and protecting montane forests are immense responsibilities within the Southern California zone of national forests. She thanked everyone for their part in those obligations and highlighted the personnel from the San Jacinto District.

“I’m so proud of you for accepting that challenge,” Harrison said. “You guys are an exceptional model to follow, because we’re going to continue to do great things across this forest, and I really appreciate you guys coming strong out of the gate and I hope you know that.”

Image

San Jacinto District staff, led by Ranger Sue Zahn, were instrumental with planning the operation months in advance. That preparation involved ordering internal and partner resources that included (on the first day): nine fire engines, two water tenders, and four Hotshot crews from the San Bernardino National Forest; two engines and a helitack crew (helicopter) from the Los Padres National Forest; one engine each from the Angeles and Cleveland national forests, and; Idyllwild Fire Protection District Crew 621. Hotshot crews are staffed with approximately 20 personnel; engines are normally staffed with a fire captain, engineer (driver), and five firefighters.

Capt. Jacob Baker, of Engine 356 from Fire Station 56 Keenwild of the San Jacinto District, described the work his crew would be performing as holding, which the National Wildlife Coordinating Group defines as actions taken to stop the spread of fire.

Baker explained that his crew can hold by creating handlines (firelines constructed with hand tools) or by applying water after a hose lay from his crew’s engine. His vehicle is a 2019 Forest Service Type 3 engine that, in addition to transporting his personnel, carries their hand tools and other equipment, 625 gallons of water, and 6,000 feet of hose.

Image

Another firefighter responsible with holding duties was Geoffrey Sobrazo, a squad boss with Mill Creek Hotshots of the San Bernardino National Forest; his unit would also carry out the firing of the vegetation.

“We’re just going to hold the line to make sure nothing spots over, keep our eyes on the green and make sure everyone stays safe,” Sobarzo said.

When Zahn addressed fire personnel during the initial day’s briefing, she stated that safety would be paramount and reminded firefighters to pace themselves as they pursued the operation’s objectives. She then expressed gratitude to everyone present for their work in the field and during the planning stages that began months prior.

“It’s completely humbling to see all of you professionals here today and what you’re going to do” Zahn said. “We’ve had an unprecedented winter of snow, snow, and more snow and you still got out here with roads the way they were and … worked together to make this day happen. So, I can’t thank each and every one of you enough.”

Image

The dedication and hard work of the firefighters since mid-June and during the patrol status has been commendable, stated Bishop.

“Their efforts to work within the fire footprint and ensure that the fire remains contained within its intended boundaries are crucial for the safety of the community and firefighters,” Bishop said.