One step out our back gate is National Park property, the Live Oaks Naval Nature Preserve, established by President John Quincy Adams. Trees from this forest were used in building the USS Constitution, known as “Old Ironsides” We enjoy the easy access to miles of trails; it’s unusual to see more than a handful of other people in two hours of hiking around.
The National Park Service did a controlled burn in the section nearest to us this week. It’s been 12+ years since it was last done, long overdue. This area is a relatively dry place, despite our seasonal rains, because we’re fundamentally on a sand spit sticking into Pensacola Bay. Most of the native plants have waxy leaves and can stand long rainless stretches of hot weather. The tangle of underbrush, vines, and dry leaves is a fire hazard waiting to happen, given our area has more lightning strikes than almost anywhere else in the continental US.
NPS rangers closely monitored the fire; our property was never in danger. Still, the abundant smoke and ash was alarming. I repeatedly peeked out the back gate to watch the flames. We had a good rain the following day which delayed the opportunity for more burning. I don’t know if they will do more soon, or if this will be ‘enough.’
Fire is a natural part of the forest ecosystem life cycle, but it’s hard to see so much burned up, and scorch marks high on tree trunks. Many small animals (squirrels, armadillos, coyotes, lizards, turtles, snakes, possums, raccoons, and many birds) will find new homes for a season. Our black bears cover large distances regularly. They can easily avoid the burned area. It is the season for the new cubs but I’m not aware of any dens in this forest. I was relieved to see an osprey perched on the nest, high atop a scorched tree, apparently pleased to be able to see me from a hundred yards away.
I know too from an uncontrolled burn in a different part of this forest last year: all the plants with extensive root systems will recover, with green shoots in a few days. This is true for both ‘nice’ plants like palmettos and ‘not nice’ plants like the six varieties of vines that can grow 1-2” per day. The contrast of the green leaves emerging against the blackened ground is remarkable.
All this has made me wonder, “Is there value in a controlled burn in my habits, practices, and ‘stuff’? Where would the value be in a fresh start? What are the equivalent of extensive root systems that I should honor? Can I initiate a burn myself, or does this process require an outside force?” Worth pondering more.
