Leslie Ann Rose, Senior Policy Analyst with Citizens
for a Healthy Bay, visited the Yowkwala restoration site
on Saturday, August 2, 2003 at 12:15 p.m to document the
results of a fire that started on the property on Wednesday,
July 30, 2003 about 11:00 am. Here is her log of that
visit.
"Tide at +4.0 feet (approx.) and outgoing. Conditions
were clear and about 69 degrees F.
The fire was approximately 0.15 miles (600-700 feet)
past the end of the Tyee Marina property. Judging from
the burn pattern, I believe the fire was started on the
beach and not above along Marine View Drive. Logs and
debris were still smoldering on Friday, August 1, 2003,
and the fireboat came in that afternoon and soaked down
the area. As a result, the hillside above has been scoured.
Cobbles washed down by the pressure of the water pumped
by the fireboat are about 2.0-2.5 feet deep and extend
well down to about +6.0 MLLW. High tides and winter storms
will eventually distribute this material more evenly.
It is likely that this hillside will continue to slump
and slide in the future, especially during periods of
heavy rain and storms. The soils that remain on the upper
slopes appear severely burned, are powder fine, and tend
to shed rather than absorb water. The herb and grass canopy
has been completely destroyed and much of the shrub canopy
has been damaged by a combination of fire, heat and water
pressure. Fire and erosion are normal beach-building processes
and, while the fire and firefighting have moved the process
ahead significantly, I did not observe anything that would
likely be disastrous to the nearshore and intertidal environment
of the Yowkwala restoration site. It appears as if there
is little to do other than let nature take its course
and recover from the damage in its own way and time."
Click on the image for
a larger version.
View from Marine View Drive. Grass, shrub and herb
layer burned, exposing bare soil. Fire corridor roughly
30 feet wide. Tops of trees burned and heat-damaged.
Most trunks and limbs in fair condition. Source of
debris probably 'midnight dumping'. Doubt debris was
source of fire.
Same as above. Another view.
Approximately center of fire corridor. Photographer
positioned facing away from the water with back against
piling. Red diamond at top center shows appoximate
place where the first two photos were shot. Water
pressure from the fireboat has eroded the hillside
and washed away all vegetation. Note toe at bottom
of hill. Cobbles from eroded hillside beyond toe to
a depth of approximately 2.5 - 3 feet.
Immediate left of above shot. Photographer position
unchanged. Note driftwood shack immediately left of
fire center of fire corridor. Shrub, herb and grass
layer severely heat damaged and appears to be dead.
Next view left. Foliage of tree heat damaged, however
trunk and limbs in good condition.
Next view left.
Immediate right of third photo above.
Next view right. To right of red arrow, no apparent
fire damage. Appears as if vegetation was scoured
from slope from water pressure, most likely the fireboat.
Photos and log courtesy of Leslie Ann Rose, CHB, 2003.
Publication
of the NOAA
Lead Administrative Trustee
