Completion Form

2021

In the fall of 2018, the Willow Patch Fire burned over 4,500 acres of critical big game habitat within the Monroe Mtn and Fishlake Mtn Ranges, along Hwy 24.  This fire was intense, lots of work went into getting this fire under control, partnerships from BLM, SITLA, FFSL, USFS, and Private Landowners all played a major roll in suppressing this fire.  Once the fire was out and access to the site was opened up we could see the devastation and the hard work ahead of us to get it rehabilitated. Funding for the rehab efforts was made possible through the WRI Partnership, along with BLM ESR funding and SITLA funding.  A plan was implemented to get started reseeding, chaining portions that were feasible, aerial application of Plateau Herbicide, building drift fences and cleaning out existing ponds.  UDWR was able to work with SITLA to identify areas where a Plateau treatment would be feasible. This contract covered 2,331 acres and was applied with a helicopter and completed by Mile High Aviation.  This application was for 4oz of Plateau per acre, the goal was to apply the herbicide and hope for moisture to take the herbicide into the soil.  The next process was to contract with a seeding company allowing them to reseed the 4,582 acres.  This was contracted with ElAero Aviation, the seed was applied with a helicopter at 13.30/lbs per acre.  Once the seeding had been completed, the opportunity to work with the Richfield BLM Office was critical in providing the man power to get the next step completed. UDWR rented four (4) D-8T tracked cats along with providing fuel for the chaining treatment.  The BLM provided four operators to complete over 2,360 acres of single way chaining.  UDWR is grateful for the partnerships we have with the Richfield BLM Field Office to help take control and provide the labor to complete the chaining portion for the project.  Another aspect of this project was working with SITLA and grazing permittees, we contracted the construction of a drift fence.  This fence was built by Toney White and was approximately 6,719' of four strand barbwire fence.  This fence acts as a interior fence that allows the livestock grazer to continue to graze the allotment but reduces the impact on the burn and newly seeded areas.  This fire rehab project looks amazing.  With several growing seasons completed, the grasses, forbs and shrub components are present and really doing good.  Through the cooperative efforts of the BLM Fuels, SITLA, and UDWR this was a great success.  A special thanks to USFWS Partners Program for the coordination with Private landowners, and UDWR on this great project as well.

With the Willow Patch Fire Rehab efforts complete, the opportunity to to work with SITLA and the BLM on future management goals and objectives is critical due to the fact that we have a large fire burn scar that could pose problems in the future.  With every burn scar we know we will have different problems or situations that may occur.  Timing was critical to seed and chain this fire rehab project, it allowed for seeded species of grasses, forbs and shrubs to be flown on and then chained over.  Within the first growing season everything looked good, we could tell where we were light with some seed but overall be had a great response.  We did experience a few flooding events that occurred, due to the steep terrain and loss of vegetation within the fire scar.  Both the SITLA and BLM will be deferring grazing for two growing seasons, allowing the seeded vegetation to become established. We entered into a cooperative with the private landowner to defer grazing as well, in addition the need to maintain and fix fences was a must.  SITLA and the grazing permittee worked on maintaining new and existing fences to keep livestock from grazing on the treatment areas. SITLA will continue to monitor the herbicide spray areas of the project looking for the longevity of cheatgrass control.  After several growing season the fire rehab looks phenomenal with the establishment for grasses, forbs and shrubs.  This area is critical to mule deer, elk and turkeys with opportunities to provide water through a guzzler that area will be a wildlife mecca.  With all the great partnerships from the BLM, SITLA, USFWS Partners Program and sportsman conservation groups this project was a great success.

Kendall Bagley

09/07/2021 16:08:40