Jones Road Fire Effects

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I spent 4 days in the past two weeks roaming the burned areas around the South Branch of the Forked River. This area was super heavily impact by the fire. Most trees are black right up to the tip of the tree, including many big cedars. I have to wonder if they did backfires from route 532 - maybe that caused a real fire storm when the backfire and the original fire combined.

Anyway, once I got in there, I'd roam for miles, I didn't want to leave. No bugs, no heavy heat, and nothing to obstruct the view.

The regeneration of the plants is extraordinary. I'm not going to name any of the plants, so if want, try to name some.

 

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The pioneering plants were staggerbush and inkberry holly, along with the first photo I posted.

 

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Camps were destroyed. Not sure what shape they were in before, but this finalized things.

 

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Nuclear war.

 

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Have a seat.

 

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A flower on one of the pioneers. They really want to get started.

 

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Weedy things? You bet, and coming up gang-busters.

 

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These were over 6 feet tall. A pernicious weed in disturbed areas.

 

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These are always found as a pioneer in areas "other" than the pines. But because the ATV's are rampant back here, they bring them in on wheels and such.

 

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Good native stuff returns. There were over 100 clumps of these. Not all were this large. This is in a stream bed.

 

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I saw a few of these, over 30" in diameter.

 

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Had to be a small camper and a trailer.

 

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Dinner time, where's the grill tools?

 

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Conditions, I suppose, are grand for this fungi.

 

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These were fine looking, vibrant and ready to set seed for the next fire.

 

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This was by my cell phone, so not that clear. I've never seen so many of this plant.

 

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Here's a special one. I found 15 stems reaching for the sun. They each had at least 5 flowers on a stem, and the second stem below has an astounding 10 flowers on a single stem. It's very rare to see this.

 

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This one is a listed plant. It thrives on fire. I found 4 populations.

 

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Just tumbled down into the streamside. Likely many years ago. A hot burn reveals all.

 

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These 2 are from the stream bed. If you had walked into this during the drought, you would not see these. These are from seeds, cracked open from the heat and regenerated by nutrients now flowing through.