Range 2 Fire Recovery
The end of this September marks seven years since the Range 2 Fire burned in Lamoille Canyon and surrounding areas in 2018. This human caused fire started on September 30th near the Spring Creek Association shooting range and quickly spread due to the high winds and warm temperatures that day. Within a few days it had burned approximately 9,000 acres before fire crews, aided by snow and rain, were able to contain the fire. Within Lamoille Canyon proper, the fire burned around 5,000 acres. Immediately after the fire, the landscape appeared destroyed. Hillsides were bare, areas of blackened soil were noticeable, and charred dead trees stood on the canyon slopes. Driving the canyon road after the fire, one could imagine the canyon never recovering for a long time. Luckily, environmental conditions, biological factors, and Mother Nature favored a quicker recovery. One key factor to note is that most, if not all, of the native vegetation has evolved with fire and has adapted to survive and regenerate after wildfires. Additionally there were numerous unburned islands that provided a seed source for plant reestablishment. Seeding, and planting efforts, by the Forest Service, Nevada Department of Wildlife, volunteers, and others helped jump start the recovery. The following pictures illustrate the good recovery that has occurred to date.
Submitted by Friends of the Ruby Mountains. Find and follow us on Facebook.