Recently, the mountain biking community has been dramatically impacted by an unprecedented increase in large wildfires and their extreme behavior. The closure of vast stretches of mountain biking trails can be attributed to a combination of factors: severe drought, extremely low fuel moisture levels, a high number of human-caused wildfires, limited response capabilities due to multiple ongoing fires, and persistent fire-danger weather conditions with no relief in sight.

To simplify the explanation further, we can look at the “fire triangle.” This concept breaks down the necessary components for a fire: fuel, heat, and air. In the case of wildfires, the fuel consists of combustible materials such as trees, foliage, and even homes. Air, specifically oxygen, is essential for fire ignition and sustained burning. The heat enables the fire to ignite and spread, drying out the fuel and making it more susceptible to ignition.

Although we are experiencing an increasingly warmer climate, human activities still ignite most wildfires. While climate change contributes to drier and hotter conditions that favor wildfires, the main concern lies in the rising frequency of human-caused fires.

Nearly 90% of wildfires in the United States are triggered by human actions, while the rest are primarily environmentally triggered by lightning strikes or, less commonly, volcanic activity. Wildfires would significantly decrease if humans didn’t camp, hike, visit, or reside near wild areas, even in the face of worsening climate change. However, this is not a desirable nor realistic scenario due to population growth and the expanding interface between wild lands and urban areas.

Preserving public lands often hinges on promoting recreational activities to foster a greater appreciation for nature, leading to continued preservation and stewardship. Consequently, nature enthusiasts, including mountain bikers, and the natural environment find themselves in a delicate balance, navigating the need to explore the wilderness while minimizing the threat posed to these areas. As populations steadily increase, boundaries must be redrawn to accommodate these competing needs.

In the aftermath of forest fires, mountain bike organizations typically engage in recovery work, including trail rerouting, rebuilding after erosion, constructing rock retaining walls to protect trails, and clearing pathways through burnt, dead, and fallen trees.

One significant challenge for mountain bike organizations is water falling on burnt soil. Intense fires can render the soil hydrophobic, making the soil resistant to absorbing water. With fewer living organisms absorbing moisture due to burned trees and foliage, water tends to drain away rather than being retained in the soil like a sponge. The most hydrophobic soil occurs where the fire burns directly on top and up to six inches below the surface.

One potential solution to mitigate the impact of wildfires is through fire mitigation efforts, although this is a costly endeavor on a large scale. Methods such as mastication (chewing up dead trees and fuel sources) and thinning are expensive, ranging from $1,500 to $3,000 per acre.

According to experts, prescribed burns are the most cost-effective mitigation method and closely resemble natural fires beneficial for stimulating new growth in forests. However, they are also the most controversial and require careful planning and implementation to minimize the risk of controlled burns becoming uncontrolled.

Historically, prescribed fire has been utilized by American Indian tribes but fell out of favor in the early 1900s when all fires were seen as a threat to the timber industry, particularly after devastating fires in the Northwest in 1910. This shift led to fire suppression as the preferred method for containing wildfires.

Unfortunately, fire suppression has contributed to the densification of forests across the United States and the Western regions. Coupled with a drier and more unpredictable climate, this creates a more favorable environment for wildfires. Adding to the complexity, increased human presence in and around wilderness areas amplifies the combustible nature of this situation.

The rise in large wildfires directly impacts the mountain biking community. It is crucial to recognize the factors contributing to these fires and their implications for both riders and the environment. Striking a balance between enjoying outdoor activities, minimizing the human-caused fire risk, and adapting to the challenges of a changing climate and growing populations is a pressing concern for mountain bikers and all nature enthusiasts.

advertisement