FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2003

Welcome to the new web version of the Chequamegon-Nicolet weekly briefing!

Many residents fled to the river as a refuge from the firestorm (click on picture for a larger image)

1. REMEMBERING THE PESHTIGO FIRE
On October 8, 1871, the worst fire in American history occurred in the Peshtigo area in Wisconsin. A fire with hurricane force winds consumed more than 1 million acres of farms, forests, sawmills, and small towns of Wisconsin and upper Michigan. In its path of destruction, an estimated 1,500 people lost their lives. Although surface winds measured elsewhere in the area blew at 15 to 40 miles per hour, the firestorm produced its own winds estimated to have been as high as 80 miles per hour. The firestorm became a great convective, self-feeding monster increasing in intensity as it drew both oxygen and wood to fuel the conflagration into its maw. Hurricane-force winds ripped the roofs off houses, blew over barns, uprooted trees, and tossed 1,000 pound wagons like tumbleweeds.
Only a trace of precipitation fell on the area between July and October 1871. Drought in vast timberlands dried up the ponds, bogs and creeks causing normal swampy areas to become dry beds of clay. The abnormally dry forest provided some benefits for settlers at the time. The opportunity to clear more land and step up the lumber harvest did not go to waste. With the lumbering practices of the time wasting 1/4 of the tree during harvest, large piles of sawdust and waste built up through the forest.
Other towns impacted by the fire were Oconto, Pensaukee, New Franken, Little Suamico, Marinette, and Menominee (Michigan ). The greatest concentration of death on the Green Bay Peninsula occured at Williamsonville, a hamlet five or six miles from Little Sturgeon Bay. Williamsonville was also struck by a fire tornado and 60 of its 77 inhabitants perished that fateful night.
The Peshtigo blaze lead to new forest management programs by the federal government. Less wasteful harvesting techniques were implemented to prevent future large scale destruction of forests. New fire policies on fighting and prevention developed in the area due to the Peshtigo blaze.
The area burned was east of the Nicolet side of the forest.

2. LADIES AND GENTLEMENT, THE BEETLES (ARE BACK)!
Leaves aren't the only orange and yellow things you'll see in the Northwoods this time of the year. The Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle is back on the scene, seeking a warm place to hang out. The beetles are variable in appearance. They can be any color from a pale yellow-orange to a deep orange-red, and have from none to more than 20 black spots. These prolific insects can live up to three years. For several days in the autumn they can be found covering homes, decks, and garages. While they pose no threat to animals, people, or vegetation, they become a nuisance by crawling into homes through openings such as un-caulked window frames and doors.
The best way to prevent beetles from becoming uninvited guests is to seal cracks around windows, doors, siding, utility pipes or other openings with a good quality caulk. Beetles that make their way indoors can be removed with a vacuum cleaner or swept up with a broom and deposited outside. Killing them with insecticides or squashing them may result in orange stains on walls and fabric. The lady beetle secretes a harmless but staining orange substance when stressed. They also can bite on occassion and they smell bad! For more information, visit the Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources article on the Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle (scroll down the page and click on the photo of the beetle) at:
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/forestry/fh/intheNews/

4. DID YOU KNOW? ANOTHER FACTOID ABOUT THE USDA - FOREST SERVICE. . .
The Forest Service established America's first wilderness area.
"Wilderness is a resource which can shrink but not grow," said Aldo Leopold, an early wilderness advocate. In the 1920's, Leopold was a forest ranger on the Gila National Forest in New Mexico. He saw the wild, open backcountry fas disappearing and wanted to protect what remained. In 1924, the Forest Service responded by establishing the Gila Wilderness, jumpstarting the wilderness movement. By the time of the 1964 Wilderness Act, the Forest Service had already designated 9 million acres as wilderness. Today, the agency manages some 35 million acres of designated wilderness, a third of the National Wilderness Preservation System. The Forest Service also maintains more than 50 million acres of wild backcountry, including vast tracts of old-growth forest. America's wildland heritage is an invaluable treasure, one that the Forest Service will forever protect.
To find out about wilderness areas on the Chequamegon-Nicolet, visit or Wilderness Page.

THIS WEEK'S "SPECIAL PLACE"

Perkinstown Motorized Trail

LOCATION: Near Medford, WI (Directions below)
This 20-mile motorized trail, developed for ATVs and motorcycles (snowmobiles in winter), is ideal for visitors of all ages, riding abilities, and experience levels. The trail system is highlighted by rolling terrain, wooden bridges and a variety of woodlands and wetlands. A great variety of wildlife and vegetation can be found along the trail. The vegetation changes from low marsh anreas and beaver ponds to forested uplands of hemlock, hardwoods and red pine plantations.
Directions - Highway 64 Trailhead - From Medford drive west on State Highway 64 for 14 miles. The parking area is on the right (north) side of the road.
Directions - Chippewa Campground Boat Landing Parking - From Medford drive north on State Highway 13 for 4.5 miles to County Highway M. Turn left (west) and drive 19.5 miles to Forest Road 1417. Turn left (south) and drive 1 mile to the Chippewa Campground entrance. Follow the signs to the boat landing.

QUESTIONS? Contact Cathy Fox, 715-362-1362 or email: cfox01@fs.fed.us