Sawtooth National Forest crews begin hillslope restoration treatments tomorrow within the Warm Springs drainage west of Ketchum to address erosion after heavy spring rains caused a series of severe landslides.
Throughout May and June, back-to-back rainstorms saturated areas burned during the 2007 Castle Rock Fire, resulting in large debris flows west of Lower Board Ranch.
Field assessments by Sawtooth National Forest officials concluded that straw mulch is needed to improve public safety and protect private property below the burned slopes, a news release from the forest states. Mulch will be applied by helicopter to 250 acres to replace ground cover lost in the fire, retain soil moisture on burned slopes and aid in the recovery of native vegetation, officials say.
Beginning tomorrow, the public should expect to see heavy truck traffic bringing in large quantities of certified noxious weed-free straw to the Warm Springs drainage. Officials have identified a staging area along the Ketchum-Featherville Road where straw will be delivered. The site is on Forest Service-administered lands.
Helicopter operations begin Aug. 10, and will continue for two to three days. Aerial operations typically run from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., depending on weather and maintenance schedules, the news release states.
The contractor hired to complete the work will have personnel along the Ketchum-Featherville Road near the staging area to direct traffic. A pilot car may also be in place during higher traffic periods, forest officials say.
People using the road should expect short delays and take extra precautions to avoid staging areas during operations. Rotor wash from helicopters can cause excessive dust and flying debris. Straw may also spill from nets as helicopters move mulch to treatment areas.
A map of the treatment and staging areas is available at the Ketchum Ranger District on Sun Valley Road.
Expect several temporary closures of trails on the west side of Bald Mountain during the work. The closures will last from Aug. 9-13. Closure orders will be posted at trailheads and at the Ketchum Ranger District. All restoration activities should be complete by Aug. 14. For additional information, call the Ketchum Ranger District at 622-0090.
Jason Kauffman: jkauffman@mtexpress.com
The 2007 Castle Rock Fire tested firefighters but was extinguished before it could burn any structures. Photo by Willy Cook
