The early days of the B and B Fire saw
it overrun the broad expanse of Highway 20 about August 19-21.
Later, it roared south and west, seriously endangering both Hoodoo
Ski Area and Lost Lake campground. In the picture to the left,
fire damage envelops the entire ridge shown, although a slim margin
of greenery remains along the roadside at this particular spot.
You are looking east and north from the summit of Santiam Pass (signs say, "Summit Santiam Pass, elev. 4817, Entering Jefferson County").
Two to three miles away on the other side of this ridge is the approximate location where the Booth Fire began, later to become the biggest part of the B and B Complex Fire. ("B and B" = the Booth and Bear Fires, which merged together about 11 miles north of this picture to become one giant fire, probably during the evening of September 3rd).
This image sho
ws the a typical tree burn area along Highway 20.
The fire was very much a "hit and miss" thing along
most of this 5-10 mile stretch. Large firs and pines have been
torched, while just yards away their neighbors will live. The
net long term effect in areas like this will be many zones with
little brush and debris on the forest floor, and with groves of
large trees replacing the dense, unbroken tree cover of pre-Fire
times. There will also be tens of thousands of dead snags--- in
general, the forest will be easier to move through both summer
and winter for outdoor recreationists. Summer travel will stir
up unpleasant clouds of dust/ash for at least a few years. There
will be some danger for weeks/months or even years from falling
limbs and dead trees.
See images of ancient forest patriarchs
and portions of historic Skyline Trail threatened or lost to the
fire near Jefferson Creek and Brush Creek
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Contact: brucej@oregonphotos.com
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Mt. Pisgah Lookout tower was enveloped in smoke from the B and B Fire. This tower is on the Ochoco National Forest, fully 75 air miles distant from the Fire!
