McNally Fire Area Restoration Project
Printable VersionBACKGROUND
The 150,700-acre McNally Fire is the largest wildfire in the history of the 1.2 million acre Sequoia National Forest. The wildland fire started Sunday, July 21, 2002, and was 100 percent contained Thursday, August 28, 2002, six weeks after burning on both the Sequoia and Inyo National Forests. The fire also burned 16,800 acres within the Giant Sequoia National Monument and threatened three Giant Sequoia groves: Packsaddle, Long Meadow, and Freeman Creek. The current cost to manage the fire suppression and rehabilitation efforts is in excess of $59 million.
Before fire suppression efforts were complete, preparations for restoration began. Aerial photography was taken as soon as visibility allowed. Natural resource data collection began for the rehabilitation and restoration efforts. This included:
- Surveying the fire area for archaeological sites.
- Conducting timber stand exams.
- Surveying affected vegetation.
- Surveying affected stream courses.
The McNally Landscape Analysis was completed in short order by a team of Sequoia National Forest professionals. A landscape analysis is a broad assessment of the entire fire area to determine the existing conditions and to determine where restoration is needed. From the analysis, management activities were identified that could move the damaged fire area toward a more desired condition. The fire area is very large and restoration will involve many different actions.
PROJECTS
Completed:
Hazard Tree Abatement Environmental Assessment (Decision Notice Signed March, 2003)
Sherman Pass Restoration Environmental Impact Statement (Record of Decision Signed March, 2004)
Ongoing:
McNally Reforestation Environmental Impact Statement Draft Alternatives
The McNally Reforestation Draft EIS has three draft alternative treatments proposed: limited reforestation, modified proposed action, and no pesticide. Each proposed alternative has an illustrative map page at the links below.
When you view each map you will have access to the datasheet or spreadsheet with the details for each treatment unit. The treatment code on the map corresponds to the treatment code on the data sheet.
Jim Whitfield is the project leader and can be contacted at 559-784-1500, extension 1135.
John Springer is available to help you locate the treatment units on the ground. He can be contacted at 760-376-3871, extension 672.
