The Pioneer Fire is officially 100% contained as of yesterday.
The massive wildfire burned nearly 300 square miles and was the largest fire of the year on United States Forest Service land.
The USFS has begun rehabilitation efforts. The agency has dispatched emergency response teams to identify potential hazards. Teams are using helicopters for seeding and mulching portions of the burn scar, hoping to help stabilize mountain slopes.
“We have the community of Loman and even further down Garden Valley. This stuff could carry down and affect Garden Valley and below.” Said John Kidd, USFS District Ranger.
The risk of debris flows could not only impact visitors and recreation areas, but wildlife as well. The USFS is concerned debris from the fire could impact critical habitat for the federally threatened Bull Trout.
“The Bull Trout tend to want to go to areas that have less impacts from the fire. So it’s very important that we replace this culverts and provide an area of refuge for those fish.” Said Brett Barry, USFS Forest Engineer.
