The Gila National Forest Office have recently completed Aerial Seeding and Re-seeding of severely burned areas from last year’s Whitewater-Baldy complex fire burn scar. The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team, which had been monitoring the burn scar, identified certain areas that did not take during the initial seeding operations last year. These areas were recently re-seeded, along with some areas that were not seeded due to the severity of burns. The Whitewater-Baldy has been the largest wildfire in New Mexico history.
According the BAER Coordinator Mike Natharius, “the seeding and re-seeding of these high burn severity areas are intended to provide for quick establishment of vegetative ground cover to maintain soil productivity, water quality, and reduce threats of flooding and sedimentation to downstream communities.” The seed mix includes a high percentage of non-persistent annual barley, which provides a quick growing cover for the first year after a burn. A small percent of native grass seeds is also included in the mix, which acts as a “protective litter layer” for the soil in the second year of rehabilitation.
Seeding this year was conducted by two fixed-wing planes on over 6,000 acres of the Glenwood and Reserve Ranger Districts. The seven-day seeding operation covered ground on the Corner and Sacaton Mountains. Since seeding was completed by the beginning of the monsoon season, officials believe it will have good odds for success: especially thanks to all this rain!