June 14, 2007

We are staying at Garrity RV-Park in Nampa 10-miles west of Boise. It was $21 per-night for FHU & Cable while every place else in the area seemed to start at $26 and rapidly go up. Garrity was just fine. It was clean, well managed, the sites were close but we were not there and didn't go outside except when heading to and from the automobile. There was a good number of permanent or long term in the campground but they were being managed properly thus were no problem. We would stay at Garrity again but those that like to spend the day and evening under the awning, sipping cool ones, might rather be in one of the other area parks. N43° 35.245' W116° 31.592'

Traveling the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway SR-21 through Idaho City and Lowman. Much of the forest along this route was burned in the Lowman area.

Lowman Fire of 1989 as seen from Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway

In the summer if 1989, the Lowman Fire burned much of this area. The fire consumed 72 square miles of forest, an area larger than the Boise metropolitan area. In addition, 26 structures in the community of Lowman were destroyed. More than 2,300 firefighters from state and federal agencies worked around the clock for almost a month to stop the fire.

Lowman Fire of 1989 as seen from Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway

When driving the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway it is easy to see the scars left from the 1989 Lowman Fire.

Firefighters battled 100 foot flames and temperatures reached as high as 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

Notice how the land is recovering.

Lowman Fire of 1989 as seen from Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway

Twenty two miles of the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway was affected by the 1989 Lowman Fire.

Lowman Fire of 1989 as seen from Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway

During the period of July 15th to 27th, 1989, lightning ignited 335 fires in this area of the Payette National Forest. At times there were over 100 lightning strikes per hour! Most of these occurred on July 26. Local fire fighting resources were quickly exhausted and a state of emergency was declared by the Idaho Governor on July 28.

Lowman Fire of 1989 as seen from Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway

Fire fighters arrived from all over the United States. Three days later, fire had consumed tens of thousands of acres more. Dry conditions, high temperatures, low humidity, gusting winds and rugged terrain combined to once again deplete fire fighting resources. By early August the Idaho National Guard was on the scene providing additional assistance.

Lowman Fire of 1989 as seen from Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway

In spite of heroic human efforts, the Lowman Fire was fought most effectively by the force which started it, nature. About two weeks after the arrival of lower temperatures and higher humidity, fire crews were heading home or on their way to other fires.

Lowman Fire of 1989 as seen from Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway

The Lowman Fire burned from July 26 until August 20, 1989. It took years to set the stage for this extraordinary event. Mild lightning-caused fires occur every year in this area with severe fires occurring every 13 to 16 years.

Lowman Fire of 1989 as seen from Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway

During the last 100 years, this natural cycle has been altered by humans putting out fires. As a result, unnaturally abundant fuels built up in the Lowman area. While fuel levels were high, annual precipitation levels were low. Normal summer rains were replaced by dry lightning storms which, in July of 1989, started 157 fires (36 in just one day!) in the Boise National Forest.

Lowman Fire of 1989 & Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway

This is the South Fork of the Payette River somewhere north of Lowman.

Lowman Fire of 1989 & Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway

Following the fire, many dead trees were removed from this area to discourage a concentrated insect invasion in the remaining injured and weakened trees. These trees provided 125 million board feet of lumber for the local timber-based economy.