More Yellow Pine Photos
We have added some photos of the 2007 Boise NF and Payette NF fires and their aftermath, fires that burned 800,000 acres (1,250 square miles) of central Idaho forests.
The photos may be found on SOSF Photo Page 1: Boise and Payette Post-2007 fires [here].
It is difficult to find the words to describe the destruction. The pictures do a better job of that. Be that at it may, we have posted many words about these fires [here, here, here, here, here, and here, for example] in the attempt.
Special thanks goes to YPmule for supplying this new batch of photographs, many of which she took herself. The residents of Yellow Pine are special people. Our hearts and prayers go out to them.
by YPmule
[Here] is a good look at a piece of the Idaho Batholith - along the East Fork of the South Fork of the Salmon River in March, 2008. Then on July 22 a half an inch of rain in a short time blew out nearly every tributary to East Fork of the South Fork and closed the road off and on until Nov 1st.
The story at that link has a few mistakes - more than 10 people live in Yellow Pine in the winter!
by YPmule
Here is the official press release of late June, 2008 from the Payette National Forest:
Yellow Pine Mudslide Update
On Tuesday around noon, the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for Eastern Valley County. An isolated thunder storm tracked across the South Fork Salmon River Basin in the area of last summer Cascade Complex and East Zone Fire Complex. Mud and debris flows occurred in approximately 2 dozen small tributaries to the East Fork South Fork Salmon River (EFSFSR). About 10 drainages cross the EFSFSR Road, which provides access to the community of Yellow Pine from McCall. About 6 culverts where plugged and the road is impassable. First reports came in yesterday from loggers working in the Parks Creek area west of Yellow Pine. Park Creek severely scoured from the very head of the drainage to the confluence with the EFSFSR. A large open bottom culvert was completed plugged with an alluvial fan spreading over 1000 feet up and down the road. Mud and debris at Parks Creek is reported at about 7 feet deep. The Forest Service and Valley County Roads are working together to clear debris and provide access to Yellow Pine along the EFSFSR Road. Access is currently limited to road equipment and crews. The Forest can expect further damage in fire areas if isolated summer storm develop and produce rainfall amounts that exceed one inch per hour. No reports of damage to the community of Yellow Pine, homes, ranches, or other property have been reported.
Valley County will take the lead on clearing debris off road, opening access, and restoring flows through the culverts.
NOAA-Fisheries has been contacted for emergency consultation.
Debris jams in the EFSFSR need to be assessed for potential risk to road and downstream bridges. Action will be taken where needed by County and FS.
This type of event was foreseen and funding has already been acquired and programmed.
The drinking water supply for the community of Yellow Pine was cut off for one day following this week’s mud flows. Boulder Creek is Yellow Pine’s surface municipal water supply. Yesterday recon indicates surface and rill erosion. High water and mud flow lines were indicated across the steep boulder field in the mid section of the drainage. The flows eventually dissipated into the boulder field. This boulder field protects the community from large debris. However, the surface water treatment plant did receive a large amount of very fine sand and organics which required the community to shut the system down and clean screens and refurbish sand filters.
by Forrest Grump
How come when there’s a mud-flow from unburnt areas, it makes the national news, while much bigger mud flows from wildfires never get noticed over the ridge?
Mike - sadly your predictions came true. You have posted the proof on your 2007 fires photo page. Muddy rivers, entire streams scoured. Our municipal water had to be shut down after a hard rain. Roads closed for weeks, and the hills are still sliding down. Where once was a neat little frog pond is now full of silt and mud. Its been hard on the local economy, our health, safety, transportation, and of course the fish and wildlife and birds.