The Fire Is Out!

Finally, after 2 weeks, the Rich Hole Wilderness is out and we are all safe. Thousands of acres were burned, but no one was burned or killed, and no homes were lost. Buddy dove me to see the damage, but we could not go in. The fire is still being investigated so on one is allowed up the access road. There was something in the paper about the police had a man they were questioning and they were looking for another. Hints of arson were floating around. Then today, when I got to school, one of my students said someone in the area had been burning “stuff” on a no-burn day , and the fire for out of control. Maybe tomorrow when the our local weekly paper comes out I will learn more. 

All of these shots were taken from the road. As you can see all the under brush was burned, and the bases of the trees were black. The fascinating thing was the dogwood was blooming up over our heads and was untouched. Teams from all over the country were brought in to cut fire breaker paths. do back burning, and to fight the fire with water which had to be hauled in because there was no water in the area. This few was from out west. Thank goodness is it all over, there is no more forest burning, and the air is breathable again. 

Sign at Entrance to Rich Hole Wilderness Area

National Forest Wilderness Rules on the Tree

Fire Fighters Bused in to Cut Down Small Trees 

 I though thought this picture was so interesting because the 2 trees in the center looks like horse’s hooves.

The Blackened Floor of the Forest.

Water Pump at Bubbling Springs ~ Burning All Around It

I am glad we were not allowed to go in the access road because I am so afraid of fire, and the destruction we saw just from the road was very upsetting. It is going to be a real heartbreaker if it turns out the fire was intentionally set or started by accident because someone was not following the law and NOT burning.

This post is linked with Our World Tuesday 

and Signs, Signs.

This post is linked with Our World Tuesday

Weekend Nature #25 ~ 11-7-10 ~ On Top of the World

Summit of Mount Pleasant - George Washington National Forest ~ Buena Vista, VA

Elevation - 1,427 feet   ~  Elevation Gain while Hiking - 1,350 feet 

A TRUE FORCED MARCH, BUT WELL WORTH IT!

Mount Pleasant ranks as one of Virginia’s most aptly named peaks. Few hikes, if any, offer so much for so little work. For the price of a small elevation gain, hikers can climb two of the Blue Ridge’s highest peaks on a loop trail that is, for lack of a better phrase, quite pleasant. Steep, rocky climbs along the final miles to Mount Pleasant will appease the gung-ho hiker in every crowd. Otherwise, it’s easy hiking on wide paths and old roads through thick masses of rhododendron and mountain laurel, forests of oak and ash, and small pockets of high grass open forest. Terrain: Dirt roads and forest footpaths lead through open rock formations, fields, open peaks, mountain meadows, remnant chestnut forests, steep cliffs, and along streams.

~

See other contributions at:

Weekend Nature #25 ~ Gemma’s Greyscale Territory