Granite Gulch Fire spread remains gradual

JOSEPH, Ore. — August 26, 2019 — Cooler temperatures and higher humidity Sunday slowed
the movement of the Granite Gulch Fire, which continues to do what nature intended -- clear the
forest floor of excess fuels which encourages the growth of forage.

"You couldn't plan a better burn in mid-elevation mixed conifer," Eagle Cap Ranger District Fire
Management Officer Nathan Goodrich said. "Everything's cleaning up really nicely with very low
levels of mortality in the overstory."

Managing a wildfire for resource benefits works almost exactly like a controlled burns and is
planned in the same way. The need is identified, objectives are developed, the right conditions are
determined, and when everything comes together the plan is executed.

Historically, mid-slope conifer density in the Eagle Cap Wilderness averaged less than 100 trees per
acre, with skips and gaps in the forest canopy (tops of trees) that allowed sunlight to reach the
forest floor and nurture new vegetation. Today, some areas have 500 ore more trees per acre,
which translates to a higher probability of a devastating crown fire, less diversity in vegetation
types and less forage for wildlife.

Objectives for the Granite Gulch fire include:
 Confining the fire's footprint to the upper reaches of the Minam River drainage;

 Establish containment lines to ensure the fire remains within those boundaries;

 Draft worst‐case contingency plans for suppression if the fire crosses pre‐determined points
and/or threatens Reds Horse Ranch or private inholdings;

 Protect values such as bridges and other infrastructure;

 Limit the fire's spread to the west, south and east to open ridgelines formed by high elevation
peaks, taking advantage of natural barriers, drainages and weather events to slow or delay the
fire's growth.