Crater
Lake to reduce fire hazards
Herald and News
Klamath Falls, Oregon
July 02, 2004
Fire management staff at Crater Lake National Park are launching
a hazardous fuels reduction project on 270 acres in and around
Mazama Village near the park's south entrance.
Park officials said the program will protect visitor safety by
reducing the risk of catastrophic wildland fire. The project is
part of the National Fire Plan to reduce the threat of wildland-urban
interface fires on or adjacent to federally managed lands.
"With a combination of visitor services facilities, high visitor
use, and a buildup of fuels from nearly a century of fire
suppression, Mazama Village is at significant risk of high
intensity crown fires," said park spokeswoman Nina Ferrante.
If a fire should occur, Ferrante said evacuation of the area
would be difficult because of limited access and egress routes.
The project will involve selective thinning of trees 8 inches in
diameter and smaller. The work will be done by crews using chain
saws. Debris from the thinning will be hand piled for burning
late this fall.
To allow the piles of thinned trees to dry thoroughly before
burning, park visitors are asked to not disturb them or use the
contents for firewood.
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