While any night view of fire is sobering, it can also be deceptive. (1) Was this fire heading uphill or backing downhill? A headfire moving uphill can be devastating. A backfire moving downhill does little damage and can actually be beneficial.
(2) The hot spot nearest the camera was probably also near the road, which acts as wind tunnel, supplying oxygen to the fire. Uphill or down, the most damage will generally be done near the roads.
Although it is impossible to tell from the photo, I assume this is typically Piedmont hardwood forest. The fire damage here will greatly depend on the direction of the fire (head fire vs. back fire), but it will vary from fire scarring at the base of trees to cooked cambium and dead trees. My guess, at least where this photo was taken, is the damage will be on the lesser side. The quality of the smoke and the low nature of the fire (except near the road) indicate that.
One of the dangers of photos like this is, without the backstory and analysis, there may well be more drama than fact. Can you give any actual facts and assessment of damages (acreage of the fire, estimated kill in terms of either biomass, loss of economic value, etc.)?
Posted by Robert Cable on May 13, 2009 at 11:54 PM
Hello Philip,
I didn't see anyone else post any pictures of the fire, so I posted these to show others here who frequent the park what was going on. If anyone is interested in the technical specifics you mentioned the NPS has the info on their Smokies website under the news heading. I apologize for dramatizing the fire and posting dangerous photos. I also apologize for not giving any actual facts or assessment of damages. As I am a photographer and not a Firefighter it would probably be best for someone other than me to do these assessments. Maybe you, perhaps.
Robert, I am a retired management forester. I have been involved with both control fires and wildfires for close to 50 years. So, yes, I am qualified to make assessments.
The NPS reported the fire as "intense", so it may well have caused some damage. The good news is that 277 acres is a relatively small fire. They devoted 40 firefighters and a specialty crew from Arizona to the fire, as well as dropping flame retardant.
My guess, based solely on their information, is there will be some drastic changes in habitat and ground vegetation for some time to come. This is not all bad news, as low browse will come back in fairly quickly, providing cover and food for wildlife. And, this is a temperate rainforest, averaging 85 inches a year in rainfall, so new growth will come in quickly.
Discussion
7 repliesAll your fire images have captured the drama of the fire.
(2) The hot spot nearest the camera was probably also near the road, which acts as wind tunnel, supplying oxygen to the fire. Uphill or down, the most damage will generally be done near the roads.
Although it is impossible to tell from the photo, I assume this is typically Piedmont hardwood forest. The fire damage here will greatly depend on the direction of the fire (head fire vs. back fire), but it will vary from fire scarring at the base of trees to cooked cambium and dead trees. My guess, at least where this photo was taken, is the damage will be on the lesser side. The quality of the smoke and the low nature of the fire (except near the road) indicate that.
One of the dangers of photos like this is, without the backstory and analysis, there may well be more drama than fact. Can you give any actual facts and assessment of damages (acreage of the fire, estimated kill in terms of either biomass, loss of economic value, etc.)?
I didn't see anyone else post any pictures of the fire, so I posted these to show others here who frequent the park what was going on. If anyone is interested in the technical specifics you mentioned the NPS has the info on their Smokies website under the news heading. I apologize for dramatizing the fire and posting dangerous photos. I also apologize for not giving any actual facts or assessment of damages. As I am a photographer and not a Firefighter it would probably be best for someone other than me to do these assessments. Maybe you, perhaps.
According to the NPS, the Laurel Falls fire was still active as of May 2, and had burned 277 acres. http://www.nps.gov/grsm/parknews/fires-4-29-09.htm
The NPS reported the fire as "intense", so it may well have caused some damage. The good news is that 277 acres is a relatively small fire. They devoted 40 firefighters and a specialty crew from Arizona to the fire, as well as dropping flame retardant.
My guess, based solely on their information, is there will be some drastic changes in habitat and ground vegetation for some time to come. This is not all bad news, as low browse will come back in fairly quickly, providing cover and food for wildlife. And, this is a temperate rainforest, averaging 85 inches a year in rainfall, so new growth will come in quickly.