...close to 400 sq miles obliterated. Largest fire ever in the Sierra's, 3rd largest in state history.
Notable was the rugged terrain...45-85% grades, rocky rivers/creeks...the firefighters were having to use mountaineering (rock climbing/rappelling) methods to access in many areas...topping off trees extending sideways from mountains (suspended from ropes). Simply unbelievable.
The resulting damage to the region will continue for many decades.
Lotta rumors about the still unidentified person who started the fire. Allegedly a hunter with an illegal fire on Jawbone Ridge. Thing is...Jawbone Ridge is mostly rock, little brush, virtually a strip with only a 10-50' path along a 1500' cliff. Nobody goes there. Nobody hunts there (not only does the wildlife avoid it...lack of food/foliage...would be a PIA to pack out the kill.).
Locals heard the responsible was a relative of one of the local fire district commanders...
Anyway...but for Chizzang and his tree-hugging friends suing to stop fire control measures including routine thinning and burning to reduce the fuel loads...this fire would have never happened.
Another Hippy Fail.






