07/30/2021
~ ๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ค๐ฃ๐จ ๐๐ฉ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ ~โ
โ
In early September 2020 Oregon experienced a historic windstorm combined during drought conditions that primed the region for explosive wildfire growth. โ
One of those fires was the Lionshead Fire which swept through the Olallie Scenic Area and ultimately down the Breitenbush drainage and into the town of Detroit and surrounding communities. โ
After the smoke cleared it was evident the true extent the fire had on the landscape and how it had changed the places we've become so familiar with forever.โ
โ
Now a year later and some of the areas affected by the September fires have been opening back up. โ
The Olallie Lake Resort was able to be saved from the fire and was able to open for the season, so a visit to scope the area was in order. โ
Upon entering the burn scar it was immediately clear the level of intensity the fire burnt at in this area. โ
Most of the trees were completely burnt as far as could be seen, with rare pockets of a few live trees scattered about; even the forest floor looked like it was mostly sooty and bare. โ
It was definitely both amazing and shocking to see the intense change from the forest that I remembered.โ
โ
At Head Lake one is presented with their first great view of Mt. Jefferson, and is a very familiar sight to anyone who frequents the area. โ
The view today is now a reminder of the place that once was, but also of how our forest ecosystems change and will continue to do so forever. โ
โ
Though the burn was intense and most of the established forest is gone, not all is lost: new understory growth was evident in lots of places, ducks and other small birds were plenty, and the chipmunks were scurrying all around. The forest is already recovering, and in time a new forest will flourish amongst the remains of the one that once was.โ
โ
โ
View full resolution at 500px:โ
https://500px.com/p/iansadventuresโ
โ
๐บ Mt. Hood NF, OR; July 25th, 2021โ
๐ท Canon EOS R/Canon RF 15-35, B+W ND 3; 35mm, f/10, 10s, ISO 100
