An approximately 1/4 acre wildfire occurred on July 18, 2022 at Atwood Nature Preserve near Auburn, CA.
AUBURN, CA – On Monday, July 18, a wildfire ignited at Atwood Nature Preserve in Auburn. The blaze was quickly contained at approximately .25 acre. The cause of the fire is unknown. The Placer Resource Conservation District and Auburn Area Recreation and Park District (ARD) are taking steps to restore the area to prevent post-fire erosion.
Ongoing annual maintenance including grass and brush management was successful in decreasing the fire’s forward progress. Local fire crews responded quickly and skillfully in putting out the blaze.
“ARD would like to thank the fire crews that quickly extinguished this fire” said Kahl Muscott, District Administrator with the Auburn Area Recreation and Park District (ARD). “ARD staff had created defensible space in the Nature Preserve as part of the Management Plan, which undoubtedly slowed the fire, however it was the fast response from the fire department that made the difference.”
Placer Resource Conservation District staff met with ARD staff on July 20th to determine next steps to recover and protect the area burned. Vegetation that was cut by fire crews during fireline construction will be chipped and broadcast on the steeper banks to limit soil erosion.
“Though the fire was in close proximity to residential areas, we can tell that the maintenance work performed prior to the fire was successful in slowing progression. Plants in California, especially in the foothills, have evolved to depend on fire. And because this was a cooler fire overall, it can be viewed as a positive turnout for the surrounding neighbors and the soil and habitat. I wouldn’t be surprised if neighbors notice new wildflowers next spring as a result,” said Andrew Justus Fritz, Ag & Community Program Manager with the Placer Resource Conservation District.
For questions or comments, please contact Kahl Muscott, District Administrator with the Auburn Area Recreation and Park District (ARD) at (530) 537-2816.
View a PDF of this press release here.
Learn more about the Auburn Area Recreation and Park District.
