Yesterday morning they finally opened the east side road to Fielding Garr Ranch and I was among the first to drive it after the fire. What I saw was depressing but it certainly could have been worse.
But two mornings ago I had to visit the island even though I knew most of it was closed to access because of continuing fire suppression efforts. This was my first good look at the fire scar from along the causeway to the island. Almost exactly half of the 28,000+ acre island was consumed by flames but much of the destruction was on the inaccessible and extremely remote back side of the island.
Each of the following images was taken yesterday morning and they’re presented in no particular order.
Thankfully very little of the fire scar is even visible until you pass the access road to the Frary Peak trailhead (although some of it can be seen on the back side from the Buffalo Point Overlook). As soon as I could see the fire line I could also see a large portion of the bison herd (there were many more of them than can be seen here) as they moved toward fresh water springs on the edge of the island for their morning drink.
For obvious reasons they’re avoiding the burned areas.
In some areas, particularly southwest of Garr Ranch, fire lines cut by a bulldozer can be seen in the burned areas but this one was apparently cut north of the advancing fire but the fire never reached it – thanks to incredible efforts by firefighters. These cuts should eventually heal.
I presume the reddish stains that can be seen in many areas to be fire retardant dumped by the helicopters and planes that were fighting the fire. Here the fire was advancing to the north and it looks like the retardant stopped it in its tracks.
One of the things I was extremely worried about was the groves of trees at the ravine bottoms on the east-facing slopes. These trees are important habitat for a variety of species including porcupines during summer. I assumed that many of them were consumed by the fire so I was very pleasantly surprised that most seem to have survived.
At one point the fire came within several hundred yards of the road but in most areas it was nowhere near that close.
Yet another grove of surviving trees in a ravine. It appears that firefighters may have made specific efforts to save them. Trees are at a premium on this desert island so I was delighted to note their survival.
The fire came quite close to the road at this spot but once again the stain of the retardant helps to tell the story.
Firefighters fought hard to save Garr Ranch. This is the scene from the upper (dirt) parking lot at the ranch looking southwest.
Even though half of the island burned most of the loss was on the west and south sides where it’s less visible to visitors.
While I was on the island yesterday I stopped and talked to Antelope Island State Park manager Jeremy Shaw for about 20 minutes. I asked lots of questions and Jeremy was forthcoming with answers. Below are some of his more interesting points (paraphrased as accurately as I can recall):
- The fire was started Thursday evening – one of the park employees actually saw the lightning strike on the remote back side of the island. But there was no apparent fire or smoke so it was thought that the strike was benign. The next morning (Friday) Jeremy hiked in to within a couple of miles of the strike and there was still no apparent fire or smoke but it blossomed later in the day. Jeremy believes that it may have smoldered in a tree until the afternoon wind brought it alive.
- Jeremy was deeply appreciative of the incredible efforts of firefighters. Many of them drove all night to get here from other states and then put their lives on the line to fight the fire.
- The fire was extremely dangerous to fight. The grass burned like tinder in the wind. In some cases flames were 6-8′ high and advancing at speeds up to 25mph. Two fire trucks were nearly consumed by the flames.
- As of yesterday there is no evidence that any large mammals were killed by the fire but that could change as more of the island is explored
- The Bison herd should be able to be maintained at or near its present size. Doing so may or may not involve trucking in food temporarily. Further management decisions will be made as more is learned about the situation.
- Reseeding efforts will likely be made in an effort to replace some of the invasive cheat grass with native species
- The effect on the Bighorn Sheep in remote areas of the island is unknown at this time
After four days of fighting the fire and incredible uncertainty about the eventual effects of the burn Jeremy actually seems quite upbeat about the future of the island. It could have been much, much worse.
Ron
Fire is always devastating to the land and the creatures that depend on it. Thank you for showing us this. Thank goodness it was finally stopped before it consumed more of the island. I am hopeful that it will recover with speed and the opportunity to reseed with native grass is such a wonderful plan. I am reminded of visiting the Carmel forest in Israel after the fire in Dec 2010. I visited 3 months later and already the land was busy reclaiming it’s ownership with the wildflowers bursting through the blackened earth. So i am hopeful that the same will happen here.
Thank you, Ron.
We had a fire in our hills about 5 yrs. ago. The following year we had plenty of wildflowers. I hope the same for you Ron. Nature always amazes me on how it can bounce back. The birds came back as well.
Sadly scenes like this (and worse) are too familiar here. I am always amazed (and grateful) at how quickly the land can recover, particularly after rain. And my heart aches always for the birds and animals which have lost habitat. And food. I am so grateful for the work of firefighters. Dangerous work. Necessary work. I don’t think we use fire retardant here. Water and digging ditches and occasionally back-burning.
Hi Ron! Thanks for the photo’s and update on the Island! So glad it was not worse! Sybill
Thanks for the update. I’ve been dreading going back out but your talk with Jeremy is encouraging. I’m still concerned that there is enough feed and habitat to support the previous population with only half of the island left. Hope they make antelope, deer, and bison chow!
Was great to meet you and visit for a few minutes Monday morning! Thanks for the update. I am encouraged to see so many trees preserved for wildlife shelter and I hope the winter feed holds out. Take care, Wayne Reynolds
I really enjoyed meeting you and gabbing with you for a while, Wayne. I look forward to our next meeting on the island.
Thank you for the report. I was going to stop by the island yesterday morning after going to BRMBR, but the day was getting hot and I didn’t know if I was ready to see the damage. I will be seeing the damage soon enough when I go to the island Saturday for the Spider Festival. Perhaps the fire will be a good time fight the cheat grass and get more native grass growing in it’s place. It will be interesting to see if there is a boom in wild flowers next spring too.
I hadn’t thought about the possible effect on wildflowers, April. I hope it somehow allows more Rocky Mountain Bee Plant to flourish. Hummers love them.
Thank you to all who have commented so far. I figured there might be a lot of curiosity among my readers about actual conditions on the island so for me this subject was a natural for my blog.
For some strange reason. I felt a sense of relief (minor but real) on learning that the fire was started by lightning, not some dumb act of humans….
Good reporting! I was talking to a rancher recently in central Florida about the “old days” and how quickly fire can spread with a little wind behind it. Sort of reminds us how little we’re in control of Nature (which, overall, is a good thing). As you pointed out, this could have been much worse, especially for an island refuge where it wouldn’t take much damage to be really devastating.
Fire terrifies me for very personal experiences! Even as I know how well the landscape can bounce back, how lush amd green the new grass can be, I can’t help but ache for any large, medium or small critters that got caught by by it and perished horribly. I am grateful it wasn’t worse, and hope the animals that call it home are a little safer now. Thanks for showing us the successful results of the actions of those brave, dedicated firefighters…
I’m encouraged by your reports and your report from Jeremy Shaw. But as you said, you can’t get to where the fire did the most damage. Holding my breath that damage in those parts isn’t catastrophic. Thank you so much for your photos and reports. While I KNOW that fire is a part of the natural scheme of things, I weep for the lives lost and hope for the least loss possible.
Loved yesterday’s story of the weasel…just got to it about midnight last night. Computers are EVIL!
Amen, Laura…
I think this is a good report, as in it could have been much worse. You got some great photos and it was so good to see the Bison herd.
Thanks for the update.
I’m so glad to hear that the fire was stopped before even more damage was done. I hope the island will bounce back quickly. Thanks for the update!
Great series, very Sad!
Charlotte Norton
Wonderful upbeat report Ron. It is greatly appreciated that you put this information in your blog.
This space is our retreat through you, we are there vicariously through your eyes and camera lens.
Thank you.
Fire is devastating but the aftermath is so hopeful here. I’m glad to hear it.
It certainly could have been much worse! Suspect the trees were green and, relatively, low so the fire passed over preferring the dry grass. Know from experience how fast and hot those grass fires can be as I’m sure you are also! Will be interesting to go back next spring and see how it starts it’s recovery natural and otherwise. Unfortunately, there is probably a huge seed bank of cheat grass and that may be a problem. Thx for documenting and sharing! 🙂
This is good news Ron. It looks like the firefighters did an excellent job of protecting the key habitats. I was wrong in saying earlier that rain was probably the only thing to really put the fire out (based on what I have seen out here with large forest fires, burning in trees). That is super good news to see the tree lined ravines and gullies saved! Kudos and many thanks to the firefighters and wildlife managers.
Thank-you for update. Glad about grove but sad about animals that may not have escaped…..and I know it’s one of your special places…which you visit quite frequently
Ron, thank you for the update. I am glad it wasn’t worse than it is. And yeah, reseeding may bring a silver lining to the event. When I saw the fire Friday night, I was worried about all the critters. With any luck, maybe no populations were too damaged.
Thank you for sharing!
Thanks so much for the comprehensive report and photos. I agree with Susans’ remarks and of course, yours. The Island means so much to so many of us that it’s great to hear yours and Jeremys’ optimism. Thanks again!
From the photos, it is clear that the fire could have been much worse. The opportunity to reseed the island with native species of grass is definitely a positive result of an otherwise devastating event. At Hueco Tanks, there is a lot of alien grass which was planted by Boy Scouts in an effort to help bring vegetation back after severe overuse of the area. It may have helped at the time, but that grass now does crowd out the native species. I’m glad that park management has made such a good decision. And I’m glad that the Bison herd is apparently okay. Hopefully recovery will be swift.