Post-Wildfire Restoration in Southeast Oregon - Long Draw Fire
Dates
Start Date
2013
End Date
2014
Summary
Background information.—The Long Draw fire was ignited by a lightning strike on July 8, 2012 on land southwest of Burns Junction, Oregon. Within 2 hours, the fire had burned several thousand acres. By the time of containment on July 16, 2012, the fire had burned a total of 558,198 acres of land that had previously provided forage for livestock and wild horses and habitat for sage-grouse and other wildlife. As a consequence of this fire, the burned area faced the immediate risks of erosion and invasion by noxious weeds. The Bureau of Land Management’s Vale District responded to this threat with the Long Draw Fire Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation Plan, which is designed to ensure recovery and protection of natural resources, [...]
Summary
Background information.—The Long Draw fire was ignited by a lightning strike on July 8, 2012 on land southwest of Burns Junction, Oregon. Within 2 hours, the fire had burned several thousand acres. By the time of containment on July 16, 2012, the fire had burned a total of 558,198 acres of land that had previously provided forage for livestock and wild horses and habitat for sage-grouse and other wildlife. As a consequence of this fire, the burned area faced the immediate risks of erosion and invasion by noxious weeds. The Bureau of Land Management’s Vale District responded to this threat with the Long Draw Fire Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation Plan, which is designed to ensure recovery and protection of natural resources, promote desirable vegetation cover, and restore wildlife habitat. Treatments across the landscape included seeding of native and other perennial grasses, aerial and drill seeding of sagebrush seeds, installation of temporary and permanent fencing, repair of water infrastructure, and treatment and monitoring of identified invasive noxious weeds. The goal of this project is to restore the ecological condition and function of the landscape, which, if achieved, will result in improved habitat for wildlife, allow for continued livestock grazing through improved forage availability, provide habitat for wild horses, reduce the risk of erosion, enhance recreation opportunities, and provide better community protection from the risk of future wildfires.
The U.S. Geological Survey collected data on restoration activities and expenditures to estimate the economic activity supported by this project. Background information on the Long Draw project was obtained from Brian Watts, BLM, written commun., 2015; and Blackwood, 2013.
Economic impacts
.—The Long Draw fire restoration project began in 2013 and continued into 2014, and had a total cost of more than $5,525,000 during this period (2014 dollars). Approximately 69 percent of project funds was spent within the local economy, and supported an estimated total of 46.6 job-years; $2,262,000 in labor income; $2,664,000 value added; and $6,248,000 in economic output within the local region near the fire’s recovery effort. Including both local and nonlocal expenditures, the Long Draw fire restoration project supported an estimated 89.5 job-years; $5,263,000 in labor income; $6,713,000 in value added; and $13,514,000 in economic output in the Western States economy. The Long Draw fire restoration project will continue after 2014.