Lightning in The Badger Creek Wilderness, Part 1 - The Fire - a photo essay

On the evening of July 12th, 2007 a lightning storm passed over Ball Point Mountain in the Badger Creek Wilderness.  At 6:49 p.m. a bolt of lightning struck an oak tree on the Southeast side of the mountain about 500 feet below the summit. 

At first light the next morning smokejumpers parachuted into the area and fought the fire all day long. They were assisted by air drops of retardant. A helicopter started making water drops to slow the spread of the fire. But, in the afternoon with higher temperatures and high winds spot fires started to pop up 1/4 mile away!

In the next 24 hours the flames on a single oak tree had spread to cover almost 300 acres. By July 18th over 500 people, 6 fire engines, 5 bulldozers, and 3 helicopters were fighting the fire that had grown to cover 900 acres. Two factors hampered the efforts. First, since the majority of the fire was in a designated wilderness area that part had to be fought by hand crews and aerial drops. The other problem was that the North and west flanks were extremely steep and rugged terrain.

Finally, on July 22nd, 1,237 acres later the fire was 100% contained. It won't be considered controlled until the Fall rains come.

Since this is one of my favorite hiking areas I was anxious to get back to see how the fire had affected it.  So, on September 1st I went up to Ball Point Mountain to see for myself. I went to the School Canyon trailhead for a short hike. I was more than just a little apprehensive...

The lower part of the trail goes through oak trees. They are short and stout. The harsh winter weather keeps them that way. As I started up the trail through the oaks I started to smell burnt wood. And this was 2 months after the fire! I turned a corner on the trail and felt my heart sink...

The oaks were charred and the leaves all dead and brown. And none of the usual wildflowers were to be seen anywhere. I continued up the trail and got to the area where the forest transitions from oaks to Ponderosa pines.

Another heartbreak. It was obvious that this area was where the water drops had taken place on the second day of the fire. The water may have knocked down the big flames but didn't stop it altogether.

  What had been a shady section of trail was reduced to this. At this point I wasn't sure I wanted to go any further up the trail. But, I did.

I walked out of the trees and through an open area and up to the ridge just above the place where the fire first sprang to life.

  The lightning hit near the center of this picture just below the tall tree.

After crossing the ridge I saw just how little it can take to stop a wildfire. The trail was less than 18" wide here and brought the fire to a halt. But that doesn't work when the wind picks up.  

The firefighters mark trees with "killer tree" flagging, complete with skulls and crossbones. These are trees that have been seriuosly burned  and weakened to a point they could fall at any time. I was starting to think I might have gone far enough!

I looked up the slope and saw more charred remains of what used to be beautiful Ponderosa Pines. And a few more "killer trees". I"d seen enough. It was time to get out of this sad place.

But, On the way back down I saw some things that gave me some hope...

Part 2 - The Recovery Begins