We are close to 100% containment as of September 16,

The CZU Complex Fire has been raging for more than a month now, and finally, Cal Fire predicts they will have 100% containment by Sunday, September 20. As we near containment on this terrible fire that has affected San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties, we are beginning to anticipate the day when we can go back into this area we love and document its recovery. This project has been set up to include all the pre-fire observations that we have made on iNaturalist and to add all the new observations we are able to make after the fire is out. Some areas are close to roads and we will be able to access them right away, but for others, such as Big Basin and Butano State Parks, it may be a long time before they are safe and we are allowed to enter. Regardless, please stay safe and use good judgement before entering any fire areas. Dead trees and tree limbs will be falling for a long time to come. Flare-ups will likely occur for quite a while, so don't get caught off-guard. I am tagging those inat users who I know have spent time hiking and observing nature in this region and hopefully, will have a chance to continue to add observations. All observations made within the perimeter of the CZU Fire will be accumulated into the project automatically, so it is not necessary to join, but please do. We also ask that you indicate in the "Notes" section of each observation whether the specific area for that observation has burned or not.

@leptonia , @terrydad2 , @gyrrlfalcon , @leslie_flint , @metsa , @lizziesusco , @chloejreid , @jmaughn , @ventanaphile , @hfabian , @kevinhintsa , @kenk , @leftcoastnaturalist , @apatten , @nmcnear , @garth_harwood , @geodani , @toucan55 , @joseph103 , @barbarab , @pdvmushroom , @alan_rockefeller , @thrasherbird , @chris_nelson , @libbing_life , @robberfly , @kfistanic , @damontighe , @kwillott , @satucker , @tiwane , @catchang , @sea-kangaroo , @earth_tide , @willfreyman , @thomas_laxton , @dgreenberger , @u_phantasticus , @lilithohlson , @mrchasse , @dsacer , @arvel , @brycestauble , @ross2 , @alvarojaramillo , @wests20 , @basquebird , @bkossy , @cae1 , @caseygirard , @cedrodebryl , @charadrius , @chyroptera , @ericgbirder , @joshuabobcatstacy , @keith_g , @kschnei , @moonlittrails , @prakrit , @serpophaga , @tui

Posted on September 16, 2020 08:50 PM by dpom dpom

Comments

Thanks for helping to launch this important project, Donna

Posted by gyrrlfalcon over 3 years ago

This is a very cool project idea. Can’t wait to get back out there!

Posted by earth_tide over 3 years ago

Here's to containment and a healthy recovery for the benefit of all forms of life affected by these fires and otherwise!

Posted by arvel over 3 years ago

Last week I posted two 'after fire' observations from Big Basin / Rancho del Oso unit. Both observations had burned within a few feet of the observed plant.

Posted by kenk over 3 years ago

We all are committed to seeing some of our favorite places recover - and document the observations in the process. Thank you Donna for this idea.

Posted by metsa over 3 years ago

Excellent project, Donna. I'm happy to be a part of it.

Posted by jmaughn over 3 years ago

I'm looking forward to documenting the recovery and being a part of this project. Thanks for setting this up Donna.

Posted by geodani over 3 years ago

This is great idea! Thank you!

Posted by chyroptera over 3 years ago

This is fantastic. I'll get out there ASAP. Thank you so much for setting this up and including me. 🖤🌲🌱

Posted by thrasherbird over 3 years ago

Thanks! Happy to participate.

Posted by hfabian over 3 years ago

Good idea!

Posted by lilithohlson over 3 years ago

Great idea! Thank you for setting this up. I was just having a conversation this afternoon with someone at Hawk Hill (Marin County) about the unexpectedly high ratio of adult Red-tailled Hawks to juveniles I observed there on Monday, September 14, 2020. We wondered if there could be some displacement and dispersal going on with the adult birds from fire zones. Pure speculation, but you do wonder where the birds go since they can quickly relocate.

Posted by keith_g over 3 years ago

When its viable to bum rides again, I’ll be there.

Posted by robberfly over 3 years ago

The burn perimeter used for this project is slightly inaccurate. The Cascade Creek Trail marks the edge of the burn in Ano Nuevo, with fire following it all the way down into the marshy area at the edge of the beach, as if firefighters used a drip torch while running along the trail to start a backfire.

Is there any way to update the perimeter so that it closely follows the Cascade Creek Trail, since this is a likely location for observations?

Posted by dsacer over 3 years ago

I have added a notification about this group to all of the affected areas and parks listed in the San Mateo County Birding Guide - http://birding.sequoia-audubon.org/ . My notice encourages people to join this project as we document the response of these environments to the fire. I think @dpom can adjust the boundaries as @dsacer suggested.

Posted by gyrrlfalcon over 3 years ago

I biked Swanton Road, South to North on Sunday, Sep. 27th. In the devastated burn areas I noticed a lot of bird activity. Species included Steller's Jay, Scrub Jay, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, California Towhee, Hairy Woodpecker, Great Horned Owl, Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, and American Kestrel. It was remarkable to see nature repairing itself!

Posted by keith_g over 3 years ago

100% Containment of the CZU Lightning Complex Fire was reached on Wednesday, September 23.

Posted by dpom over 3 years ago

YES! Thanks for the good news!

Posted by gyrrlfalcon over 3 years ago

Yesterday I drove and birded Canyon Road from Cloverdale Road to the eastern end where there is a gate on private property. The fire burned right up to the road, especially at the eastern end of the route. I iNatted several burned and regenerating Coast Redwoods, and other plants that either survived or are already re-sprouting. None of them showed up inside the Fire Perimeter and so are not included in this project. It would be great to adjust the perimeter lines to include Canyon Road that abuts Butano State Park. Thanks!

Posted by geodani over 3 years ago

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