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| 2018 Cranston Wildfire |
When we moved to Idyllwild from the southeast in 2013, wildfires were not part of my life. What an awakening! We evacuated our home in the summer of 2013 as well as 2018 when these destructive fires went through the mountains. I since learned that wildfires are a normal part of our Mediterranean climate but the difference now is that they are occurring much more frequently and severely now than historically. You can name contributing factors – drought, higher temperatures, forest management, and humans. Both of the fires in the San Jacinto Mountains were ignited by humans one of whom is sitting in jail for throwing flares out of his car.
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| Black-backed Woodpecker |
Many of you know about the Black-backed Woodpecker that lives in Sierra Nevada, northern California as well as other western states. However, they do not live in the southern San Jacinto Mountains. These woodpeckers spend their lives in postburn forests. They are a magnet for these birds. Heat sensing wood boring beetles are attracted to the charred trees and deposit larvae in abundance which the woodpeckers feast on. They respond immediately to a forest in crisis.
Woodpeckers are considered keystone species of the forest. Most of them use their nest cavity once which enables a multitude of birds who rely on their carpentry skills to nest in their vacated nest site. Mammals also benefit by these created tree holes. Woodpeckers play a vital role in the renewal of life in a postburn forest.
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| White-headed Woodpecker |
After the 2018 wildfire, I began to do more research and discovered that the White-headed and Hairy Woodpecker, although not strictly associated with postburn forests, are attracted initially for the same reason. Since both of these drillers live in our area, I was thrilled. I began searching for them where ever I could access an impacted area. To me, they represent hope in an otherwise depressing sight.
There truly is a difference in the recovery of a postburn landscape when the wildfire is less severe leaving some standing trees both charred and alive. When a fire is widespread reaching deep into the ground and up into the canopies of the forest, the effects are much more severe. While performing my work as a Tahquitz Peak fire lookout volunteer, I scanned the mountainside for any signs of new growth after the 2018 Cranston fire. The fire in this part of the wilderness was all consuming. The terrain was too steep and structures were not threatened (except for the lookout tower) so the fire blazed relentlessly. Only small black “toothpicks” that were once trees remained on the ash filled slopes. Last year, I saw small signs of green growth but it was far less than other less impacted areas. It will take decades to have any resemblance of a forest.
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In contrast, I have hiked along places where the wildfires were less severe like Hurkey Creek. Resilient plants like the scrub oak, red shank, and manzanita are thriving. Beautiful wildflowers that bloom after fires are abundant. Birds that like this new open space for foraging insects have replaced some of the closed forest birds. Flycatchers, Lawrence’s Goldfinches, Lazuli Buntings and Western Bluebirds are a few of the dazzling birds that fill this landscape.
Hurkey Creek campground was spared from the 2018 fire by the hard work of the firefighters but the forest surrounding it was consumed but not as severely as in the high county near Tahquitz Peak. I recently discovered a trail that runs alongside the flowing creek for about ½ mile. Evidently, the fire has opened up the trail and made it more accessible. The birdsong of dueling Lazuli Buntings and House Wrens caught my attention as did the bright orange Bullock’s Oriole, bright yellow Western Tanagers, Western Kingbirds, and a few migrating warblers. I was overwhelmed by all the gorgeous birds. Spring migration is in progress so they won’t all stay but I do expect the turquoise Lazuli bunting to nest in this area.
Spring is an exciting time! Enjoy!
Photos and Content by Robin Roberts, Idyllwild CA
