Re: Fire In the Gorge ...

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Comments:
: : Devastating to the area ... and the endangered wildlife ...

: : I spoke to a National Forest Ranger at the PO yesterday and asked, tentatively, "How bad is it?" "VERY bad," was the response.

: : Eric Hurley said, last night, "On other news I hope we have a site to see this year. Reports I am getting from US [Forest Service] is that the fire crossed the chimney's last Friday."

: : William Brown, organizer of the annual trek into the Gorge (those with us last year may remember Clabert referring to him) says, "The fire is still burning very hot in the area of the Chimneys and also around the Flat Spot Camp.  I've been on the fire lines on this side of the mountain, and what the fire itself hasn't destroyed, the US Forest Service will now backfire to stop the progression of the fire.  The areas where the fire was not extremely intense may "recover" in two or three years, the rest ... well, those of you who went on this last trip should consider yourselves lucky to have been the last people in this generation (and the next several) to have seen what you did."

: : Ditto last June's Gatherers ... AMOUNG the last! This blows me away. I plan to go up there, maybe to Wiseman's View, this weekend, if approachable, and see for myself. If not, then as soon as possible.

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: : : They say it ain't pretty -

: : : Though Saturday's rain offered relief & the smoke has eased up, the fires still burn.
: : : Reports thus far put the fire's reaches at 10,000 acres. Included in the most severe 'hot spots' are the Chimneys. Recovery??? Not likely for years ... an extensive region within the gorge will never be the same to our eyes.

: : : Talk about seeking new vistas ... 

: : : E

: I can't help but think of the irony in this situation for us gatherers...to gain access (possible-River Walk) to one beautiful area of our state only to lose another (as it was last summer). I suppose in the long run, regrowth after fire is preferable to development. It still makes my heart hurt so bad (and the tears fall) to read about all this. "Top of the world" was my new favorite spot in the *the* world!!!!!

: Diana S.


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