ADK Forever Wild: Fire in the Adirondacks

The Adirondacks and the natural force of fire have a long and complicated history. On the west coast, natural fires were often controlled to the point where they were detrimental to the health of the forests. Some tree species require the occasional burns to clear out fallen trees and dead wood to allow for the growth of new seeds. Other species simply thrive in post fire conditions. In other words, fire is a natural part of the life cycle and succession of forests.

While fire is necessary for a park and occurs naturally, it can grow into a dangerous threat because of human activity. When logging and mining reached new heights at the turn of the 20^th century, fire reached disastrous levels. In 1903 different forest fires in the Adirondacks and Catskills burned alone 464,000 acres of land. Fire again reached disastrous proportions. Homes were burned, residents had to be evacuated, and the smoke could be seen as far away as Washington. D.C. In both years, while the weather was dry, human activity was responsible. Sparks from the engines of coal driven trains caught on the dry leaves and dead wood that had been carelessly and improperly disposed of by the lumberjacks and timber companies who had no need of it. These factors combined with the drought led to the massive forest fires.

However, following these fires, people were convinced of the need to increase fire protection and prevention. In 1909, new laws were passed and the construction of fire towers began. These measures have helped reduce the frequency and destructiveness of fires in the park dramatically. Nevertheless, in the modern era, the park faces many new challenges surrounding fires. Climate change is a massive threat. Not only does the increased frequency and duration drought and dryness increase the frequency and damaged caused by forest fires it also impacts the ability of the forest to recover. Fires are only helpful when they enable new growth. However, if drought and dry years continue to occur after the fire, new planet species will not be able to grow. In other words, climate change could prevent Adirondack forest from recovering from fire damage even as that damage becomes worse and worse. While the Adirondack forest does appear relatively stable and protected today, the future is uncertain especially when we are dealing with such a powerful and controllable force such as fire.