Fall already?!

Whew it’s hard to believe it is already fall. September has proved to be a busy month for the Dixie FIREMON team! After such arduous plots in Salina Creek, the team was very excited for well earned rest and relaxation… or so we thought. Doug and Anna enjoyed a mere 2 days off before being called on a fire detail with the Tushar Mountain Wildland Fire Module. Above and beyond the SCA call of duty, they found themselves whisked away to the wilderness of Wyoming right in the heart of grizzly country. Although it left them with plot-time to be made up upon return, they gained valuable experience in many areas of a managed fire including backburning, spinning weather, and smoke observations. In addition they spent some time on the trail utilizing their chainsaw training and learning the ways of the crosscut. They returned a bit wearier but a bit wiser to the ways of fire.

Meanwhile in the lovely state of Utah, Laura and Michael pushed onward. Not detoured a bit by their absent comrades, they headed into the backcountry of the Pine Valley District of Dixie NF. In one fowl swoop they completed all plots in Mill Flat as well as all photo plots in Santa Clara. They then moved ahead to begin tackling Blue Fly plots in the Powell District.

The team reunited in the higher elevations of Escalante with a site visit from program coordinator Mike Stefancic. Mike learned all about monitoring in Dixie as well as shared some of his knowledge from fire monitoring in other regions. Plot work varied from pleasant Ponderosa Pines to dense Aspen stands. Despite any challenges, the views proved spectacular. We will truly miss this landscape.

However, the turning of the Aspen leaves signals to all that it is indeed fall and our time here is short. Up next, the team heads to Twitchell Canyon.