Coarsegold Resource Conservation District
Report on the North Fork Fire Aftermath
August 2001

Erosion problems AFTER the fire

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The North Fork Fire Aftermath Damage on resources was extremely significant. The fire started on August 20 and was contained 7 days later after spewing tons of particulate and ash into the air from burning 4,130 acres at a cost of $3,000,000. Estimated at far more material than all the permitted hazard reduction and household burning in eastern Madera County, this fire also denuded much of the watershed. The result of soil movement, new erosion channels, sediment loading in streams and rivers, stream and drainage bank cutting, siltation flats, and damage to function of drainage structures were extreme in many cases. The Douglas Station Road had new culverts replaced, while other damaged erosion structures will continue to contribute to increased watershed degradation for years. Fishery and aquatic habitat damage will take generations to return to normal. The Aftermath will continue for decades, as there are increased regulations and ordinances in air, water, and land use practices prohibiting responsible local people and groups from managing the watersheds.


A siltation flat resulting from erosion next to Willow Creek.	Hot fire resulting from unburned piles of brush, removed during fuel break construction. The CRCD was unable to burn the piles under controlled conditions before the wildfire because of burning and smoke regulations.

Excessive fuel loading in buffers required along drainages produced intense heat and caused complete damage to soil and resulted in soil movement.	Improperly installed culverts caused excessive erosion.

Shotgun culverts vertically dropping water from excessive heights into waterways causing tremendous sediment loading in downstream creeks.

Another shotgun culvert dropping water from a great height. Maintenance to install 22 degree fitting to bring culvert to ground line will minimize damage.	Runoff channels resulting from excessive fuel loading which produced extreme soil heat in drainage bottoms and thereby caused soil movement into fisheries and aquatic habitat.

Shotgun culvert with vertical drop to forested lands.	Sediment accumulation at the Recreation Center in North Fork, outside the fire area. Similar loading reached San Joaquin River, downstream from this site.

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