Natural resources specialists at the Bureau of Land Management are optimistic that a 1,200 acre fire rehabilitation project in southern Lassen County has a great chance at success. Crews took advantage of mild late winter to complete the seeding project. They hope recent spring rains will help the project along.
“We were able to get seeding equipment onto the site because of a lack of snow cover,” explained Associate Field Manager Emily Ryan, BLM Eagle Lake Field Office. “Storms came in as we were wrapping up. We are hoping this well-timed moisture leads to good germination and plant growth.”
Ryan said crews used rangeland drill equipment to plant sagebrush and native grass seed in furrows. Crews followed up by spreading locally collected sagebrush seed. Good timing played a role in this part of the project as well. The seed was collected from areas that later burned in the Long Valley Fire.
“The seeding will give the plant community a head start in getting re-established,” Ryan said. “Plant cover is important because the soils are sandy and the area is wind prone, making the area very susceptible to erosion.” High-desert public lands in the Long Valley area provide important habitat for deer, upland birds and many other wildlife species. Roads and trails in the area are popular for off-highway vehicle recreation.
The Long Valley Fire burned about 83,000 aces of rangeland along the California-Nevada state line last July. BLM Eagle Lake Field Office crews concentrated their rehabilitation efforts on burned areas in California.
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